600 stray dogs culled

2010-09-05 23:30

Jana Breytenbach, Die Burger

Cape Town - The farmers of Laingsburg can rest a little easier now, after about 600 stray dogs, which have presumably been killing sheep and goats in the district, were culled over the past three months.

Pietie Williams, Laingsburg's municipal manager, said that since the start of June the regulations regarding dogs in households have been applied very strictly.

"Only two dogs per stand are allowed."

Williams added that municipal officials regularly visit suburbs in the area to make sure there are not more than two dogs per stand.

This strict application of the regulations became necessary because farmers have had great damage since 2000 due to stray dogs killing their sheep and goats.

Attie Stadler, a farmer from the area, said deaths among his livestock have decreased drastically over the past three months.

"The municipality removed the dogs, but there are still sporadic attacks.

"Only time will tell whether removing the dogs has made any difference."

Stadler said there are still stray dogs, but there has been a great improvement compared to how many there were three months ago.

A farmer who wanted to remain anonymous told Die Burger in June that he had shot dead several dogs because they were killing many of his sheep and goats.

Since 2006, 255 sheep and seven goats have been killed by stray dogs.