A BELOVED lamb bled out and died in its owner's arms after two vicious dogs ripped its throat out at a Jimboomba property earlier this month.
The barbaric attack unfolded at about 6.15pm on Tuesday, December 3, when Marks Road resident Annette Bird found her 15-year-old lamb dead and covered in blood at the bottom of a dried out dam.
Ms Bird desperately searched for her two remaining sheep, only to find a reddish brown Staffordshire Bull Terrier and slightly smaller black "mongrel" attacking one of her other sheep, named Millie, against a fence.
The dogs fled once Ms Bird was "within kicking distance" and ran in the direction of her third sheep, Lilly, who was hiding.
Ms Bird said she had to make sure the dogs were no longer a threat to her remaining livestock before her desperate attempt to save Millie.
"I had to make the dreadful decision to leave Millie and try to protect her twin sister," she said.
"Once I realised (the dogs) were not near Lilly, I ran back to Millie. I tried desperately to call for help, I made several calls while I was holding Millie's throat together and she was bleeding out before my eyes.
" ... Millie was struggling to breathe. She was essentially inhaling and drowning in her own blood and this lasted about 35 minutes before she died horribly in my arms.
"There was nothing I could do."
Due to the need to care for her injured sheep, Ms Bird was not able to photograph the dogs.
The tragic death of two sheep has taken an emotional toll on Ms Bird, who said she did not want anyone else to go through the same traumatic experience.
"I want some public help to find these dogs. They are killers and will kill again," she said.
"One of the sheep Jarrah they killed was 15-years-old, had arthritis and could not run to save her life.
"(Jarrah) died a death that is unspeakable as did Millie, and this should not have happened. I am absolutely devastated.
"I have owned sheep for 20 years and have managed my own large dogs without incident on my property all this time. No one's dogs have the right to come onto my property and attack my animals. They should be safe on their own territory."
A Logan City Council spokesperson said animal management officers have investigated the incident and attempted to track the dogs down.
"No dogs matching the descriptions provided were found," the spokesperson said.
"Council is now patrolling the area and a humane dog trap has been provided to the residence where the attack occurred.
"Logan City Council encourages livestock owners to take appropriate steps to predator proof their enclosures where possible and report any predator dog activity, both domestic and wild.
"Even when the above steps are taken, there is always a risk in rural areas that dogs can pose a risk to livestock."
Ms Bird said the attack has taken its toll on Lilly, her sole surviving lamb.
"I brought her up into my dog yards where I can keep her safe until these animals are no longer a threat to her," she said.
"She is stressed at the presence of even my dogs but I have no choice.
"She did not sleep for days. I spent nights sitting out guarding her and I am still struggling with what i have experienced. God knows what Lilly is going through after seeing her best friend torn to pieces."
Under council law, dog owners are required to keep pets in an enclosure which is designed and maintained to prevent them from escaping over, through or under barriers.
The council spokesperson said there were penalties for people who fail to comply with the regulation.
"Council concentrates on education in the first instance. Penalties for non-compliance can range from a fine for the dog owner to a dog involved in a serious incident or attack being regulated as a dangerous dog," the spokesperson said.
The Logan City Council Animal Management Centre can be reached on 3412 5397.
