In the last 12 months, council officers and police have attended 40 dog attack investigations in the city limits that have ranged from less serious to very serious incidents.

Late last year six sheep were killed on Boxing Day at Murrumbidgee Regional High School, with another sheep and alpaca killed in the vicinity of Spence Road, two pet goats killed in the vicinity of West End Oval and one more goat killed by aggressive, roaming dogs on Merrigal Street in January alone.

Karen French found her beloved pet goat of eight years Sommer, mauled and killed by dogs on the morning of January 2 this year.

"To say I am devastated, heartbroken and extremely angry is an understatement," Mrs French said.

"She was in an enclosed yard but obviously these dogs could jump over it."

Since making a social media post about the horrific incident, Mrs French said she had been inundated with messages from other members of the community who had had similar experiences with aggressive and roaming dogs on local streets.

"I received constant messages for weeks on end from other people sharing their stories about how their beloved pets had been brutally mauled and killed and how they had experienced close calls themselves when walking on their local streets," Mrs French said.

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Environmental health and compliance co-ordinator, Merryn Benham said council has a zero tolerance towards wandering animals, and that it was up to the owner to ensure pets are well trained, and kept safe and secure in their homes.

"If a dog escapes from its yard or runs off, any damage or harm that it causes is the owner's responsibility," Ms Benham said.

"Dog owners are liable if their dog attacks a person or another animal."

According to the Companion Animals Amendment Act, high penalties apply to owners of dogs which rush at, attack, bite, harrass or chase any other person or animals.

On the spot fines of $1320 can be issued with a maximum penalty of $22,000 or two years imprisonment depending on the severity of the incident.

However, if a dog which has previously been declared 'dangerous', 'menacing' or 'restricted' is involved, a maximum penalty of $55,000 or up to four years imprisonment could be imposed.

"If you are going to have pets be responsible for goodness sake, lock your gates and train them," Mrs French said.

"Is it going to be a child or any person out walking to be attacked for something to be done about this?"

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