School horror after dogs maul animals
HEARTBROKEN families say the mauling of 17 agricultural animals has left students at Ormeau’s Livingstone Christian College in shock.
Rams, sheep, lambs, calves, and goats were among the animals killed after two bull arab dogs broke into their enclosure. Just two sheep, one ram and one goat escaped.
Parent April Hennessy said children were visibly distressed.
“The whole school is feeling this loss, even students who weren’t directly a part of the agriculture studies,” she said. “My daughter is in utter shock at the situation and still can’t believe what happened.
“These animals were a part of our Livingstone family. The little ones would get so much joy from spending time with these animals and learning all about them, and the older children put so much effort into nurturing and caring for them.”
The animals were kept in a fully fenced miniature farm behind the school near the bottom oval, but still on the main school grounds.
It’s understood school officials arrived to find the horrific scene early yesterday morning, and staff worked around the clock to protect students before they arrived for the day.
Division 1 Councillor and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said the two dogs believed responsible were impounded by council.
“It must have been a horrific scene, and my heart goes out to the entire school community,” Cr Gates said. “We have no further detail at this stage, but the council has impounded the two dogs involved, pending an investigation.
“It will need to take its course through operational procedures.”
She also said the dogs’ owners had reached out to the school and wider school community.
Principal Mark Laraghy said while many animals were killed, some were injured, and vets were brought on-site to help work through the situation.
“We have been left with two sheep, a ram and one goat out of about 20 animals,” he said in a message to parents.
“The students who have been hurting and grieving have been engaging with chaplains and staff.
“We have shared basic facts with secondary students but are leaving it to each family how they will discuss this with primary children.”
Ms Hennessy said she felt the school’s handling of the matter was “admirable”.
“As parents we need to be able to comfort our little ones in the way we feel is appropriate,” she said.