Seventeen animals have been killed at Gold Coast school, Livingstone Christian College

STUDENTS at a prestigious Gold Coast School have been left devastated as more than a dozen animals were killed in their enclosure.

HEARTBROKEN families say the mauling of 17 agricultural animals has left students at Ormeau’s Livingstone Christian College in shock.

Rams, sheep, lambs, calves, and goats were among the animals killed after two bull arab dogs broke into their enclosure. Just two sheep, one ram and one goat escaped.

Parent April Hennessy said children were visibly distressed.

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“The whole school is feeling this loss, even students who weren’t directly a part of the agriculture studies,” she said. “My daughter is in utter shock at the situation and still can’t believe what happened.

Sheep were among those killed at Livingston Christian College. Photo: Supplied

“These animals were a part of our Livingstone family. The little ones would get so much joy from spending time with these animals and learning all about them, and the older children put so much effort into nurturing and caring for them.”

The animals were kept in a fully fenced miniature farm behind the school near the bottom oval, but still on the main school grounds.

It’s understood school officials arrived to find the Agricultural Science plot had been attacked.

Authorities suspect two bull arab dogs found their way into the enclosure early this morning.

Principal Mark Laraghy on the school’s Facebook Page said “many of our animals have been killed or injured”, and they were working with authorities and vets.

Lambs were believed to have been mauled. Picture: ANDY ROGERS

“We have been left with two sheep, a ram and one goat out of about 20 animals,” the post said.

“We brought two vets on-site to help us work through this situation. The council have located the dogs and are dealing with this beyond the school.

“The students who have been hurting and grieving have been engaging with chaplains and staff.”

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He also reached out for parents to contact the school regarding children’s wellbeing.

Sheep were among those killed at Livingston Christian College. Photo: Supplied

“We have shared basic facts with Secondary students but are leaving it to each family how they will discuss this with Primary children,” he said.

Division 1 Councillor and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said it was terrible.

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“It’s an incredibly sad day, not just for the students, the teachers, the parents — but the wider community,” she said.

Sheep were among those killed at Livingston Christian College. Photo: Supplied

“It must have been a horrific scene, and my heart goes out to the entire school community.

“I did speak with the principal, who said staff did an incredible job prior to the start of school to protect the students.”

Cr Gates also said the dog owners had reached out to the school.

“We have no further detail, but the council has today impounded the two dogs involved, pending an investigation,” she said.

“It will need to take its course through operational procedures.”