Council’s release of its Corporate Strategy, Risk and Governance quarterly report showed that a dog attack occurred at a rate of almost one a fortnight during that period.

Councillor Gwenda Allgood said in her view, responsible dog ownership is the worst it has been in more than three decades.

“I’m really disappointed with that I think that’s absolutely disgusting,” she said. 

“In my 32 years here I have never ever seen so many dangerous dogs running around out there and I think that is absolutely appalling.

“I’ve got ten grandchildren living within this community and I would like to think that I could take them for a walk without the risk of what we’ve actually got going on here.

“We have to get some people to start being more responsible for their dogs because they’re not anymore.”

In the first known case a Doberman dog attacked a German Shepherd dog out the front of the Ararat Veterinary Clinic. The Doberman was immediately put down by the owner, and the vet costs paid. No official complaint was made by the owner of the German Shepherd.

In a well publicised separate incident a blue heeler jumped the front fence and bit a lady as she delivered newspapers. The owner was fined and the dog declared a menacing dog. 

In a third and unrelated case a miniature Fox Terrier x Maltese Shih-tzu puppy was attacked by up to two Staffordshire dogs, with the puppy receiving serious injuries. 

Unfortunately the attack occurred between neighbouring yards, and investigators were unable to determine which yard the attack occurred in.

Under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, it is a defence to the offence of dog attack if it occurred in that dog’s yard after another dog strayed into it. 

The owner of the injured dog was left with a substantial veterinary bill, however the constraints of the legislation did not allow Council to take the matter any further regarding the dog attack. The owner of the Staffordshire dogs was issued with two infringements for failing to renew their registration.

The fourth recorded incident occurred when two German Shepherd dogs and a Golden Retriever were roaming in Picnic Road. The two German Shepherd dogs began to attack a sheep. The dogs were captured by Council and infringements issued to their owners for failing to register their dogs and dogs found wandering at large. 

A private settlement regarding the sheep was met, and the owner of the sheep withdrew his complaint.

In the fifth incident an unknown dog attacked sheep on a property at Nerrin Nerrin. The dog has not been identified. No sheep were killed, however their wool was pulled.

And in the sixth and final known case two Shar-pei dogs attacked a Maltese x dog, again in neighbouring properties, and again where the attack couldn’t be determined. The owner of the Maltese withdrew the complaint.

Cr Allgood said residents are wary of the current situation and a change in community attitudes is needed. 

“I’ve had a few phone calls where owners of dogs have been very distressed about the way their dogs have been treated by other dogs,” she said.

“It really is distressing because most people within this community dearly love their dogs and it just seems that we have dog owners that are not responsible.

“It’s gut wrenching for the little dogs or people that are being bitten because it is not something you get over in five minutes.

“I think people, if they are going to have a dog they have to take responsibility for it.”