Five-hour chase across town after dog attacks

Two Stratford families are traumatised following a killing spree by a roaming dog.

The dog's first victim was a pet hen belonging to David and Alison West on Avon Street. The hen was given to them on the death of a friend seven years ago.

On being chased off their property the dog disappeared from sight, turning up at Colin and Bridgitte Sinclair's property on Warwick Road. They came home for lunch on Thursday to find five of their six chickens killed by the dog.

The dog continued through town, with more chickens reportedly missing. Armourguard, the contractor Stratford District Council uses as a back up for their dog control officer, chased the dog believed to be involved across town for five hours before capturing it. Sightings ranged from Avon Street by the kindergarten to near New World supermarket.

The dog is now in the pound awaiting its owner to claim it. Failing that, it will be put down in seven days. It is described as a brown pit bull cross. It has no collar and no registration.

"Roaming dogs are a growing problem that we are aware of," says Mike Avery, council director of community and environmental services. He points out however, that it is difficult to pinpoint wandering dogs due to them going unreported most of the time. Mike says people need to ring the council when they see a roaming dog as it is the only way the problem can be kept under control.

This sentiment is supported by the Sinclairs. They have invested both time and money in their six chickens. Costing over $35 a hen, they had just started to lay after winter feeding.

The Sinclairs recently bought an ice-cream maker for their nine year old son, Beau, who on Thursday came home from school expecting to make ice-cream with their own eggs and milk, but instead was faced with only one surviving hen, still distressed after hiding in the hedges for some time after the dog attack.

The Stratford District Council is also investigating another dog attack on Friday which left a small dog dead.

One dog is "in custody" says Kieran Best, Stratford District Council's dog control officer.