THE community has called for Leeton Shire Council to improve the way its rangers work, but it seems some residents still have a blase attitude to taking proper care of their animals, according to a new report.
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Council has provided a report of ranger activity from May 1 to July 14, which included staff attending various dog attacks.
The worst incident occurred on July 14, when two uncontrolled dogs entered an 86-year-old woman's house and attacked and killed her pet cat.
The offending dogs had been impounded six times since June 5, with the owner allegedly taking the ranger's camera from him following the incident.
However, the ranger was able to recover the camera and police are taking further action.
The dogs were seized, fines issued and moves are being made to have the animals declared as "dangerous" under the Companion Animals Act.
Other incidents included six sheep being killed by an unknown dog in Vance Road, another dog being attacked in Beech Street and a 13-year-old girl being chased by two large Rottweiler dogs while riding her pony.
Council director of environmental and community services Garry Stoll said moves to improve the way rangers acted during different situations had been made in response to community outrage following other incidents earlier this year.
He said it was now the community's turn to ensure the safety of both pets and residents.
"Pet owners have a tremendous responsibility," Mr Stoll said.
"They need to ensure they have their animals secured to avoid these situations from happening.
"The incident involving the attack of the eldery lady's cat was just horrible."
For the May 1 to July 14, council impounded 60 dogs and 40 cats.
Twenty-five dogs were returned to their owners, but none of the cats were microchipped and none were claimed by their owners.
Some of those were feral cats.
Council euthanised a total of 19 dogs after holding them for the legal amount of time, with two picked up by a rescue organisation and three re-homed privately.
Of the 62 dogs, only 32 were microchipped.
"These figures might be slightly higher than usual, so we really do need the community to take care of their pets or come forward and claim them when they are taken to the pound," Mr Stoll said.
During the time period, rangers responded to 136 complaints that also included the removal of two snakes, a feral pig on the loose in Yanco and uncontrolled cattle and horses.
"The rangers do have a tough job," Mr Stoll said.
Council has employed a new ranger, Grant Bridge, who started work on July 1.