Students at the Canobolas Rural Technology High School were left heartbroken when their flock of school sheep and other animals was attacked and killed by two unsupervised dogs about six weeks ago.

About 40 animals, mainly sheep, but also two alpacas, were killed in the attack.

It was a shocking incident that brought home the brutal realities of what can happen if dogs are not kept secured on properties.

Naturally the students would have formed bonds with their animals and to see that bond broken in such a terrible manner is hard for anyone to take.

But principal Kate Wootten said students had recovered well since the incident.

Rather than hide away from the incident the attack had been covered in lessons.

“We were talking to them to say this is what can happen on farms,” she said.

So, it is great news to hear the incredible generous and caring spirit of the people of Orange has spread to helping out the school.

A heifer, a calf and several lambs have been donated to give the students and the school the chance to start again with the agricultural program.

And the school is hoping to buy more animals.

None of this negates what happened.

The two dogs have been euthanised and the owners have been fined.

But clearly the dogs should not have been allowed to roam.

There were reports of other attacks on animals, including leading to the death of a goat and alpaca on private land, and one on a boy on a scooter, around the time of the school attack.

Authorities say it is still not clear if the same dogs were responsible.

Either way it is a lesson that should be heeded by dog owners to avoid such an incident happening again.

The school is improving its fencing to try to keep its new animals safe.

Dog owners need to ensure their fencing is adequate to keep their animals at home.

The generous spirit of Orange people is renowned but it can only do so much.

It could be channeled into other areas if it did not have to be called upon to soothe something that was clearly preventable.

The demonstration of generosity does help heal the pain and in a way does make up for terrible acts.

But the terrible acts themselves need not happen.