Stray dog pack kills 67 goats
A TRIO of savage stray dogs killed 67 goats after entering a fenced enclosure in a rural area over the weekend.
The Zungu family of Mangcengce Reserve in Ubuka Traditional Authority is counting the cost of their loss after their goat herd was literally torn apart.
Their owner, Langelihle Zungu, said the goats were attacked in their camp opposite Crocodile Dam on Saturday and Sunday night.
‘On Sunday morning, we discovered two of our goats dead, both with big gashes on their necks. On Monday we found another 65 goats dead in the same camp.
‘All these animals had wounds on their necks where the flesh had been ripped.
‘When we went closer to the dead goats, three vicious dogs suddenly appeared from nowhere and attacked us,’ said Zungu, who said they were definitely not the African wild dogs that have been on the loose in the area over the past weeks.
‘Eight goats were left critically injured as they could not walk and eat. We reported the matter to local induna, Moses Sikhakhane.’I also loaded 19 dead goats onto my bakkie and took them to the Ntambanana Police Station.
‘I’m not a commercial farmer, but we use some of our livestock to perform ritual prayers when required, and sell some when we need cash,’ he said.
Induna Sikhakhane said he has reported the matter to the traditional council.
‘Last year we experienced the same problem of stray dogs killing goats in the area. The community tracked down those dogs and killed them,’ said Sikhakhane.
King Cetshwayo Police Cluster spokesperson, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, said they were aware of the incident, and the matter was was under investigation.
Contacted by the ZO, the SPCA said they had been unaware of the incident but would make contact with those involved.