A southern NSW council has reminded dog owners to ensure their animals are under control. Photo: Milan Krasula.
CONTENT WARNING: This story contains details that may distress some readers.
Farmers in the Snowy Monaro region have sounded the alarm about an increase in dog attacks.
In a statement, Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) recently revealed that farmers had reported 20 dog attacks on farm stock so far this year.
The region has already passed last year’s total of 17.
“With the agriculture sector under immense pressure right now, we’re calling on all local dog owners to protect their pets, our farmers, and our community by choosing to keep their animals contained, socialised, and properly trained,” the council statement said.
The January to June numbers are something Monaro farmer Craig Mitchell hopes don’t become a pattern in the second half of 2026.
“Hopefully it’s just a bit of an outlier,” he told Region.
“People will understand that their dogs, if they’re out by themselves, they do tend to play around.”
He said that his property, located near Wadbilliga National Park, experienced the occasional attack from dogs – be they wild ones from the national park or escaped domestic pets.
“They come in waves … I’ve only had a couple of dogs here in the last 30 years.
“But when they come in, they can kill 100 [to] 150 sheep and it’s very distressing when that happens.”
Mr Mitchell said a dog attack on livestock was “doubly distressing”, with the dog’s owner and the farmer having to respond.
Those actions can include having to euthanise injured animals, as well as dogs who attack other animals.
“People who live in towns and townships need to understand the distress caused by dog attacks on stock,” he said.
“It’s not only a money issue – we are their shepherds, for want of a better word, and there’s a fair bit of responsibility in that.”
Mr Mitchell said livestock injuries from dog attacks could be devastating.
“The wild dogs that I’ve experienced they get a taste for the kidneys. They tend to pull them out and not worry about the rest of the sheep.
“The sheep can be still alive with its gizzards hanging out … [As for] domestic dogs, they’re probably not doing that, a lot of the time they’re not killing them to eat them. They’re killing them to play with them.”
In their statement, the SMRC spokesperson said all dogs must be on a lead and under control (when not in designated off-leash areas).
Dogs also have to be microchipped, registered, and wearing a collar with the owner’s contact details.
“Dog owners risk fines, penalties, civil liability, and could have their pet declared a nuisance, dangerous or menacing — which could see their pet removed,” the spokesperson said.
“Farmers are legally entitled to take all reasonable action to protect their livestock against dog attacks, which means straying pets in regional and rural areas are at even greater risk than in towns and cities.”
Any attacks on livestock in the Monaro region can be be reported to council immediately on 1300 345 345. Rangers are on call 24/7, every day of the year.
