A passer-by who contacted Hawke's Bay Today said he noticed the sheep dotted across the paddock when he was driving by.
"I saw the Animal Control vehicles there and when I saw the sheep I knew it was a dog attack," he said.
"There was blood everywhere and from the marks on the sheep and the mess left behind I could tell it was a dog attack because it's something I've sadly seen before."
Payne said they have arranged for early morning patrols over the long weekend and will inform the owner of this.
"The reason for the patrol is to be proactive and try to find the dogs involved in the attack in the act."
John Payne said dog attacks on sheep are becoming common in areas where there is a mix of rural and urban people. Photo / Warren Buckland
He said with dog attacks on sheep becoming common in areas where there is a mix of rural and urban, people need to be aware dogs still can portray a violent nature.
"We must never forget that a dog is a descendant of the wolf. They are simply a wild canine predator domesticated," he said.
"Even if they have been socialised or trained you cannot eliminate the desire to chase and kill stock.
"You can take the dog out of the wild but you can't take the wild out of the dog."
He said dog owners need to take extra precautions.
"The only way to eliminate stock worrying is to keep your dog under proper control.
"Just because your dog is sitting on the porch in the morning doesn't mean it has been there all night."
Payne said attacks will happen all year round but can become more frequent during lambing and during a full moon. He said dogs need to be controlled better but stock owners also need to ensure they protect their animals as best they can with improved fencing and other precautions.
Stock owners should take extra precautions like:
• Electrify fences containing stock, especially if close to an urban area. A dog that gets a zap from an electric fence is unlikely to return
