Residents are worried for other pets in the area after the attacks. Photo / File
Roaming dogs are being blamed for the mauling of four pet sheep in Bellevue.
It is the latest in a series of animal killings in the area, residents say.
Ryan Powell said he kept four sheep as pets and lawnmowers for his Aquavue Way home. Two were in lamb when the flock was attacked overnight on Monday.
About to head overseas for a few months, Mr Powell had a tenant at his house keeping an eye on the sheep.
"Poor guy, his first few days in my place and he had to put two sheep down that were still just alive and dispose of the carcasses.
"Unfortunately this is one of a few incidents in the area. A guy a few blocks away had a few mauled a few weeks ago too.
"The dog needs to be shot."
Mr Powell said he had reported the incident to the council, which had provided dog traps for him to leave on his property.
He did not know where the dogs were coming from, but said it could be from across Carmichael Reserve as they would have been able to see his sheep from there.
Margaret Rd resident Meg Graeme said she was worried for other pets in the area after the attacks.
"It's having a huge effect on our community. Goodness knows what these dogs would attack."
She had heard of pet rabbits and cats killed, and her parents in Princess Rd lost their whole flock of 14 sheep to a dog attack in November. They replaced the sheep only to lose another four earlier this month.
"Mum and dad decided that's the end of having sheep in Princess Rd."
A neighbour witnessed two dogs carrying out the second attack.
She was keen to work with Tauranga City Council to see if more could be done to track down the culprits.
She had some samples of dog hair that she hoped the council could analyse and make links between attacks, or to registered dogs.
A council spokesman said the dog control team were looking into the incidents.
Have you seen these dogs?
A witness to a recent attack on sheep in Bellevue gave these descriptions of the dogs involved.
Suspect 1: Mid-size, black with a pointy nose and short, upright ears.
Suspect 2: Larger, grey with broad, bull terrier-like features.
If you're in Queenstown, be prepared for chilly 1C overnight temperatures tomorrow.