Shropshire farmer's warning on dog attacks as ewes savaged to death

Louise Lea, who has farmed at Blore Farm, Hales, near Market Drayton with her husband John for 30 years, said the attacks took place last Tuesday and Friday night. The couple have a flock of 350 sheep.

She said: "My husband went up last Tuesday and found a sheep with chewed legs that later died.

"The following Friday we found another sheep had been attacked and mauled.

"All of the ewes are currently in lamb so we will not see the full extent of the damage until lambing season in March.

"I know it is a dog attack because a fox would not be able to take down a full grown ewe and the teeth marks are much bigger. We have never had a problem like this before. We have moved all the sheep down a field to protect them.

"I would say to dog owners, go out and enjoy the countryside but keep your dog on a lead and do not let them run off."

West Mercia Police say it is an offence to have a dog in a field or enclosed space where there are sheep when the dog is not on a lead or under close control.

A police spokesman said: "Owners should be aware that farmers are within their rights to shoot and destroy dogs if they are deemed to be causing distress and harm to sheep and other livestock. Also this can lead to the dog owner or person in charge of the animal being sued for damages to compensate that loss."

Anyone who witnesses sheep being chased or attacked should call 101 immediately.

The National Farmers Union Mutual (NFU) said it does not have the latest figures for sheep attacks in Shropshire.

However, it revealed there were 182 recorded incidents of sheep worrying or attacks on multiple animals in the area in 2008 and 145 incidents in 2007.

It said the estimated cost of these incidents was £900,000 a year but this was likely to be higher as some farmers did not have insurance cover for livestock attacks.