Just before 7am last Thursday morning two dogs, a rottweiler and a bull mastiff, attacked sheep at the demonstration block, killing all six stud animals.

“It’s a very unfortunate event and it’s very difficult to explain to the kids,” Ms Hill said.

“These kids have lost sheep that they have put a lot of time and effort into training and showing.

“Their time comes out of their own lunch break so it is extremely disappointing for them.”

The three ewes and three rams that were lost had recently returned from the Wagin Woolorama where they were shown by the students. Replacements for the sheep are unable to be sourced until next term.

“Obviously we will have to replace the sheep and the students will have to retrain them,” Ms Hill said.

While the ranger has since destroyed the two dogs responsible for the latest incident, the attack was by no means an isolated occurrence.

“This is the fourth dog attack in two and a half years,” Ms Hill said.

“During that period we have lost 11 sheep and a chicken, with six horses and three other sheep having sustained injuries.”

One of the horses injured was a 23-year-old mare called Cassie, who sustained lacerations to her chest and legs late last year when a great dane chased her over a gate.

While Cassie has since recovered, Ms Hill is concerned that if dog owners aren’t more careful it is only a matter of time before tragedy strikes again.

“In spring we will have foals at the demonstration block and it would be terrible for something to happen to one them because of dogs.

“The students have been going around our fences trying to make them more dog-proof but this is very difficult to do.

“The demonstration block is a great learning resource for the students but we can’t keep replacing animals.

“All we ask is that dog owners know where their animals are at all times to avoid incidents such as this.”