The Whangarei owner of an alpaca mauled to death by a dog is warning more animal deaths are likely in the area if the offending canine is not identified quickly.
Guy Mahony, who is working as a doctor in Australia, learned Brucie, one of his three alpaca at his Crane Rd property, north of Whangarei, had been killed by a dog or dogs last Sunday.
The news was heartwrenching as he has owned the trio for nearly seven years and Mr Mahony immediately made a report via email to the Whangarei District Council (WDC) calling for action to catch the dog responsible.
The council is investigating the death but say it is difficult to identify the canine offenders as no one saw the attack.
While Mr Mahony is working in palliative care at Mount Isa, Queensland, he has friend Bob Douglas regularly checking on his block of land and three animals.