Sixteen sheep have been killed in an "act of brutality" by a group of dogs.
The attack in Millington Rd, Maunu, comes after 24 sheep were killed by dogs there in April.
Resident David Roughan called the police and suggested the Armed Offenders Squad kill the dogs for target practice.
He first noticed
something was wrong when he saw several sheep cowering in a corner while he was working on his 50ha property on Saturday.
He spotted three pig dogs nearby, one of which was covered in blood.
Two of the sheep that had been attacked were still alive and had their throats hanging out so Mr Roughan shot and buried them, along with the 14 others who were killed.
The dead animals made up 12 per cent of his stock and were worth more than $1000, he said.
A dog control officer from Environmental Northland was called to the scene and said the pitbull-crosses were either pig dogs or pets.
One was a reddish/tan colour with a white chest, another had a cream body with tan markings on its head and the third dog had black and white markings around its neck and a white nose.
Mr Roughan attempted to shoot the dogs but they were too far away and disappeared into the Pukenui Forest.
Environmental Northland was very keen to hear from anyone who recognised the dogs, which it suspected weren't wild and were likely to be pets.
"It's another case of senseless brutality and killing of sheep which could have been prevented if people controlled their dogs properly," a spokesman said.
When dogs had left the scene of an attack, it was difficult to prove they were involved.
"It's hard to prove but if a witness identifies them and believes they were responsible, the matter will go to court."
Environmental Northland was investigating whether the dogs in the latest attack were the same ones involved in the April attack.
Mr Roughan rang the police and suggested someone come out for practice - "they told me that's not what the AOS is there for".
"In hindsight I should've called some mates from the rifle club."
Anyone with information about the dogs should ring Environmental Northland on 438-7513.
