Three sheep die after savage attack by two dogs
© Design Pics Inc/REX/Shutterstock Three sheep have been killed after a brutal attack by two unaccompanied dogs.
The incident took place sometime after 2.30pm on Saturday 11 February at a farm in Kingsclere, Hampshire.
Two large, unaccompanied dogs entered the farm and were seen on CCTV trying to get into a pen containing chickens.
The dogs were unable to get into the pen and the chickens escaped harm.
See also: Sheep farmer’s despair after 7 dog attacks
Later, three sheep were found dead on the farm.
Two of the sheep received extensive injuries consistent with those of a dog attack.
It is believed the third sheep died of shock.
PC Vincent Lane, of Hampshire Constabulary’s Country Watch team, said: “The injuries sustained are among the worst I have seen and I am concerned that the dogs’ owners do not appear to have been present throughout the incident.”
It is an offence contrary to the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 to allow a dog to worry livestock while on agricultural land. By law, farmers can shoot dogs worrying their livestock.
‘No winners’
PC Lane described the sheep deaths as “entirely preventable” if the owners had kept their dogs on a lead.
He urged dog owners to act responsibly while walking in the countryside or in and around farms to prevent any further unnecessary suffering and loss.
“Ultimately there are no winners in such instances. The livestock typically sustain serious injuries or, as in this case, die in attacks by dogs,” added PC Lane.
“The farmer has unnecessary veterinary expenses or, in cases such as this, can lose valuable livestock.
“Typically, the dog owner will witness a traumatic event and may even be injured in trying to intervene.”
The dogs are described as hounds, with one beige or tan in colour and the other one white.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.
Countryside Service
Meanwhile, Hampshire County Council has launched an initiative to help police tackle rural crime in the county.
The new Countryside Service will provide extra eyes and ears to support Hampshire Constabulary’s Country Watch scheme.
The partnership will see Countryside Service staff will receive training from the Country Watch team on signs of rural crime to look out for and will help officers by gathering intelligence and reporting incidents.
About 20 Countryside Service vehicles will also be badged with the Country Watch logo to help give rural policing a more visible presence.