What is the ruling on killing dogs that attack stray sheep and eat from them, and is the owner of the sheep obligated to provide a guard for them instead?

It is part of Allah Almighty's mercy that He legislated repelling harm and aggression from oneself and one's property, and this includes killing harmful animals like wolves. Dogs are of two types: those that are recommended to be killed, such as black dogs and rabid dogs, and those that are not to be killed. Dogs that attack sheep and prey on them are vicious dogs whose harm must be repelled by killing them. From 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There are four [animals] that are all mischievous and should be killed in and out of the sacred precinct: the kite, the crow, the mouse, and the rabid dog." A dog that causes harm by biting, preying, or having rabies may be killed. The action of someone who saves his Muslim brother's property from dogs preying on it is a good deed and will be rewarded. The owner of the sheep must protect and care for them, and killing vicious dogs is permissible.