A trespassing sheep may face the death sentence if not claimed from a Gore animal pound.
The sheep was seized by animal control officers after being found twice tied up at a Mataura property that was not its own, and in insanitary conditions.
Russell Duthie, of the Gore District Council, told The Southland Times the property owners asked for the wayward sheep to be removed.
Mr Duthie says the sheep was taken to the Gore dog pound.
"It won't be in the same cage as the dogs, I am sure, otherwise it will be dealt to," he told The Southland Times.
According to Mr Duthie, it’s the first time a sheep has been held at the pound.
It costs $20 a day to impound the sheep. Mr Duthie says if not claimed in a week, and an alternative owner can’t be found, the sheep may be put down.
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