FILLMORE : Dogs Attack Sheep, Halt School Project

A sheep breeding project at Fillmore High School’s 80-acre school farm has been temporarily halted after two dog attacks have left seven lambs and four ewes dead.

Dick Piersma, who has taught for a year in the high school agriculture program, estimated the black-faced Suffolk sheep were worth about $2,500.

The same pair of dogs--a black Labrador-shepherd mix and a golden retriever-shepherd cross--are believed to have been involved in both attacks.

“A sheep’s only defense is to run,” said Marilee Belloumini, who has taught in Fillmore’s agriculture program since 1980.

Belloumini said this is the first such incident at the school farm in 12 years. She said reinforcing the sheep’s evening enclosure would help, but the dogs must be caught before the program can proceed.