All night fundraiser Peek-a-boo Sleeping with Readers’ Steinway p15 photos p16 The Leader Nelson edition Thursday, June 2, 2016 Stoke I Tahunanui I Nelson I Atawhai I French Pass I Rai Valley nelsonleader.co.nz Dogs kill sheep at lifestyle block Craig and Jane Gass at their lifestyle block on Marsden Valley Rd where four of their sheep were attacked and killed by two dogs. PHOTO: VIRGINIA WOOLF/ FAIRFAX NZ SARA MEIJ ordeal. had a mix of 11 speciality Gotland sort of pack mentality mode. They ‘‘I guess that makes us so cross sheep and common white just become a killing machine.’’ With tears rolling down her angry, we didn’t hear a thing,’’ breed sheep, of which several A Nelson City Council spokes- cheeks, Jane Gass speaks about she said. were bred for meat but others person said they received two the four sheep they lost after two The next-door neighbours were loved pets for many years. reports of dogs worrying sheep in hunting dogs killed them while woke up because their dogs The dogs killed four of their Marsden Valley. roaming free in Marsden Valley. became agitated, Jane said. older sheep that were finishing The council spokesperson said Two dogs from a property over The neighbours saw the two their days on the property, the the owner was contacted after the the hill roamed free last Monday dogs and the dead sheep in the oldest one having been with the dogs were captured. afternoon until Tuesday morning, Gass’s paddock. family for nine years. The owner signed the dogs worrying sheep on several proper- The neighbours rang Jane and ‘‘If people see dogs wandering over to council for destruction, ties and killing four of the Gass’s Craig straight away who then around without anyone with which had since been carried out. flock and others on the nearby called dog control to report the A surviving Gotland cross sheep at them they need to contact some- ‘‘These incidents were very property of Matthew Benge. situation. the Gass’s farm. one, they need to contact the dog upsetting to all parties concerned. The Gass’s sheep were in a pad- The Gass’s own a self-sufficient control officers,’’ Jane said. ‘‘This is a timely reminder to dock adjacent to Jane and her lifestyle block on Marsden Valley As the distance between rural ‘‘It just disturbs me that they dog owners to ensure that their husband Craig’s bedroom when Rd, with a vegetable garden, bees, properties with livestock and resi- were wandering for that length of dogs are confined or under con- they were attacked by the dogs fruit trees and sheep. dential areas is becoming smaller, time and nobody did anything. trol at all times, most especially early on Tuesday. They’ve owned the property these kinds of incidents are bound They will get up to no good. around livestock.’’ Jane said sheep don’t bleat for the past 16 years and have to happen more often if dog ‘‘You get two dogs in a pack when they’re under stress and seen the valley change from a owners don’t keep an eye on their that are roaming with nobody dogs are silent killers, which is rural area to being built up with dogs, Jane said. looking after them, they will why they have slept through the residential properties. Prior to the attack, their flock attack animals, they will go into More sheep deaths P3 2 THE NELSON LEADER, JUNE 2, 2016 stuff.co.nz YOUR PAPER, YOUR PLACE did you know... Motueka was considered by as a possible site for the chief town of Nelson, 1. MUSEUM FUN however it was rejected after Nelson Haven was World of WearableArt and Classic discovered. THE Cars museum is open every day from 10am to 5pm. Adults $24, LEADER children $10. SAYS 2. IT’S BANANAS Enjoy a hilarious romp through a It’s a traumatic experience for 1 plethora of 80’s anthems at the both livestock owners and dog Bananaruma musical at Nelson owners when sheep attacks like Music Theatre this Saturday and the ones in Marsden Valley occur. Sunday at 7:30pm. Admission $14. As the city council says, it’s a serious reminder for dog owners 3. GREEN SHOPPING to make sure their animals are Get your fresh produce and being watched and secure at all groceries at the Nelson Farmers times. Market on Wednesday from 11am- They may seem like lovely to do list 4pm at Morrison Square. This newspaper is harmless creatures, but you can’t 2 3 subject to NZ Press take the pack mentality out of a 4. MARKET DAY Council procedures. dog, however domesticated they Buy your weekly groceries while A complaint must first are. socialising at the Nelson Market, be directed in writing, within one month of Hunting dogs should every Saturday at Montgomery publication, to the editor’s email address. particularly be watched around Square from 8am-1pm. If not satisfied with the response, the livestock. complaint may be referred to the As the city grows and 5. OLD FOLK Press Council. PO Box 10-879, residential housing creeps further Motueka’s Tom’s Field will be playing The Terrace, Wellington 6143. into previously rural land or Or use the online complaint form at a mix of traditional folk and old time www.presscouncil.org.nz Please lifestyle blocks, the potential for 4 5 tunes at the Moutere Inn from 2pm include copies of the article and all conflicts rises. on Monday. correspondence with the publication. It is then even more important to understand the behaviour of dogs, train them well and to keep Contact us EDITORIAL: Sara Meij (03) 546 2885 email [email protected] ADVERTISING SALES: Bronwyn Waddington (03) 546 them secure when around other 2836 DELIVERIES 0800 800 515 or [email protected] animals. Nelson Leader readership 33,000 people a week, delivered to Stoke, Tahunanui, Nelson Central, Atawhai, French Pass, Rai Valley. Attacks like these that resulted Tasman Leader readership, 36,000 people a week, delivered to Richmond, Waimea, Murchison, Mapua, Motueka and Golden Bay. from dogs roaming free for hours could have been avoided. Thinking of selling your property Just call me A Nelson local selling Nelson property Graham Kay 0274393337 03-5487705 No 1 sales person South Island No 2 sales person New Zealand SSAVEAVE T TIMEIME a andnd M MONEYONEY Residential. Lifestyle. Fly direct from Rural. 7201002AI Nelson to: Licenced REAA 2008 Experience an Expert Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin KOTUA PLACE, WAKATU ESTATE CH-7077440AA (03) 541 0104 • WWW.JELLICOE.CO.NZ WHATS FOR DINNER $ * Fresh Local Imported & Local Supplied Fresh Fish Wellingtons Famous Island Bay Butchery Produce Cheeses 15 + Varieties Cabinet Small goods – Amazing Sausages from99 Special Tarakihi Red Cod Special Monk Fish $17.99 kg $12.99 kg $15.99 kg We have the Special Gurnard “Are We Freshest Freshest $19.95 kg Special” fish at the best price in Nelson Special Broccoli Special Kiwifruit Special Butternut Pumpkin .59c each .59c kg .59c each 40 HALIFAX STREET (OPPOSITE NELSON INFO CARPARK) Now three times weekly to/from Tauranga OPEN 7 DAYS Ph 03 548 4668 CH-7213189AE Specials while stocks last CH-7270674AB Wholesale Available Contact Us stuff.co.nz JUNE 2, 2016, THE NELSON LEADER 3 Cruising D’UrvilleIslandfor charity HELEN MURDOCH Keith Knapp has offered the use of the pride of his Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle fleet for charity. The unique fundraiser will see the company’s 25m vessel Cru- sader carry passengers on day trips to D’Urville Island from later this month. Knapp came up with the idea as an ideal way to make some money for charity. Passengers will pay $100 each for a six-hour journey, which included a stop at Catherine Cove for a walk and picnic or purchased lunch. ‘‘The boat’s available and Sir Peter Talley has kindly donated the fuel,’’ Knapp said. Knapp has chosen the Rotary Club of Motueka to organise and promote the fundraiser which would see all of all money raised split evenly between the Nelson- Tasman Hospice Trust, the Jack Inglis Friendship Hospital, the Nelson-Marlborough Rescue Heli- copter Trust and Rotary Oceania The Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle will host a charity cruise to D’Urville Island. PHOTO: ANNA PEARSON/ FAIRFAX NZ Medical Aid for Children. Knapp received a Paul Harris of the region’s most scenic coast- Any cancellations will be the D’Urville Island Wilderness their legs and take in some of the Fellowship from Rotary Motueka line and experience the exhilar- advised at 8am on the day of Resort located in Catherine Cove picturesque scenery that the in 2013 for his services to tourism ation of going through French departure on: and travel French Pass. resort offers. and has worked with the club in Pass. abeltasmanseashuttles.co.nz/ Here passengers can have the past. The trips are planned to take news. lunch, whether it’s their own pic- He said the Crusader could place on June 25, June 26, July 2 The boat will leave from Nel- nic lunch or soup and rolls from ❚ Bookings can be made at the Motu- take 150 people, but for the sake of and July 3 – weather permitting. son’s Sealord Rescue Centre in the cafe at $18 (which can be eka and Nelson i-Sites comfort each trip would cater for Knapp said any postponements Wakefield Quay at 9 am. reserved on booking). Motueka: 5286543 or 100 passengers. would see the trips scheduled Each cruise will last about six There is also a short waterfall motuekaisite.co.nz Those travelling will see some across following weekends.