ABOUT 950 chickens were slaughtered by dogs in Mortlake after what is believed to be a mistake by Moyne Shire local laws officers.
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The seven-week-old chickens were being kept at the rear of an industrial shed in a brooder shed in Townsend Street.
Purnim poultry farmer Alan ‘Swampy’ Marsh said Moyne Shire local laws officers had entered the property last week by pulling back a mesh fence without his knowledge. He said after they inspected the chickens at the rear of the property they left and failed to put the fence back.
Mr Marsh said on Saturday two Alaskan malamute dogs have then entered the property and killed about 950 chickens.
He said the horrific attack would cost him about $10,000 for the chickens and $30,000 in a loss of profits.
A spokesman for Moyne Shire said the incident was still being investigated.
Mr Marsh said it was easily the worst thing to have happened to him in his 60 years of farming.
“I’m totally pissed off,” he said. “I just stood here and couldn’t believe my eyes.
“This is just a thrill kill.
“I don’t blame the dogs at all.
“Malamutes are closely related to wolves. It’s not their fault.
“The bylaw officers should be severely sanctioned and Moyne Shire’s insurance company should recompence me.
“And I think an apology is an excellent idea.”
Mr Marsh said the local laws officers had been called to his property after reports of two chickens in a laneway.
He said a woman had told him she had seen two Alaskan malamute dogs with chickens in their mouths near the property.
He said there were initially 1040 chickens in the brooder shed but he lost 40 in the rearing stage.
About 50 chickens survived the attack.
