Retiree Richard Wilkinson has lived with three alpacas on his WA property for more than 15 years, but his backyard now has a somber silence after a series of deadly attacks.
Key points:
- Landlords urge dog owners to insure pets after livestock dies
- There have been 30 dog attacks in Toodyay so far this year
- The Shire ranger says dog owners have a responsibility to keep animals safe
Mr Wilkinson, 81, went downstairs to feed his beloved pets six weeks ago to find two had been savagely attacked by domestic dogs.
Both died later.
“That left an older boy who got really stressed out because alpacas are herd animals,” he said.
Feeling sorry for the remaining alpaca, he quickly bought two older females that needed rehoming.
All died within 48 hours.
“Very annoying, very stressful … I still look for the alpacas when I’m feeding the chooks,” she said.
One of Richard Wilkinson’s dead alpacas after the attack. (Provided by: Shire of Toodyay)
He and the local authorities were certain that the deaths were the work of nearby domestic dogs.
“We have foxes here, but they are too small to do much with an alpaca … it was almost certainly two dogs acting as a pack,” he said.
Sheep among wolves
Twenty kilometers to the east, sheep farmer Des Driessen said he faced the same problem.
She recently lost a much loved one named Hercules to an alleged dog attack, despite spending $12,000 in vet bills trying to save him.
Driessen said the incidents had become more frequent in recent years.
“They’re no different than a damn pack of wolves,” he said.
“Since we’ve been here we’ve lost 500 sheep to dogs.”
Des Driessen says he has lost hundreds of Merino sheep to dog attacks. (ABC News: Catherine Clifford)
He said visitors arriving for a weekend getaway were often unaware that their beloved pups could pose a serious risk to livestock.
“Hobby farmers and their weekend friends … their dogs are often not locked up at night,” Driessen said.
He said they were bringing untrained dogs without leashes.
“If we didn’t have sheep here we wouldn’t mind, but we have good Merino sheep,” he said.
“When you see your sheep broken, it brings tears to your eyes.”
Responsibility of dog owners
Wade McMillan says there have been 30 dog attacks in his region so far this year. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Sam McManus)
This year there have been around 30 dog attacks in Toodyay Shire.
Ranger Wade McMillan said many incidents could have been avoided if dog owners took the proper precautions.
“I think they come from the city, or somewhere else, and think that because it’s a big property the dog can run wild and have a good time,” he said.
“When livestock are involved, most dogs will run, chase and maybe attack.”
He said owners could build a proper enclosure for their dogs.
“If they have a large property, build an area around the house,” he said.
“Most dogs will leave the property and chase things if given the chance.”
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No more alpacas
Wilkinson said she didn’t blame the dogs for her alpacas’ deaths, but said she would miss having them around.
“I would never ask for a dog to be put down for attacking, but I don’t want to see dogs up here unless they are confined,” he said.
“I doubt I’ll live here another four or five years, and I wouldn’t want to get rid of it [alpacas] and bring them home.”