MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Missoula authorities plan a crackdown on uncontrolled dogs in a popular hiking area after three attacks on sheep the city relies on to graze down noxious weeds.

Missoula open space coordinator Morgan Valliant tells the Missoulian (http://bit.ly/1xIFepq) in a story on Wednesday that the three attacks on three different days occurred in the North Hills when pet owners failed to control their dogs.

The area has about 1,000 acres of public open space.

Valliant says two of the sheep will stay on the mountain but a third will probably be euthanized. A private contractor has about 150 sheep in the area.

Valliant says the attacks have occurred near the Orange Street-Interstate 90 trailhead where dogs must be on a leash.

Extra patrols are planned. A dog-at-large fine is $275.

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