Twenty sheep die in savage dog attacks

Police are hunting a killer dog after a farmer found dozens of dead and dying lambs on his land following two separate attacks.

David Clarke, tenant farmer at Tullythwaite Hall, Underbarrow, near Kendal, Cumbria, lost a total of 20 lambs in the savage attacks from 14 February and 22 February. Fifteen more were so badly bitten that their survival is under threat.

Mr Clarke, who has farmed at Tullythwaite Hall for 30 years, said finding the dead lambs had been devastating.

“Some of them were half buried in mud while others were still alive but suffering from terrible bites,” he said.

“You put so much work into them and are just left feeling powerless when something like this happens.

“There’s also the financial loss in that it costs you in vets bills, and you also lose what you could have expected to get for selling the lambs.”

Kirsty Ransom, of Westmorland Veterinary Group, confirmed the lambs had been killed by a dog and said she suspected the same dog had carried out both attacks.

“I’ve done my best to treat the surviving lambs but there’s no certainty they will all make it,” she said.

“It’s very distressing for everyone involved, including me as a vet because animal welfare is paramount.

“I would urge dog owners to keep their pets under control at all times, especially at lambing.”

Cumbria Police are appealing for information. PC Colin Morris, of the Kendal rural police team, warned that failing to prevent an animal from worrying sheep was a criminal offence.

“Dog owners must keep their pets under control, especially now we are in the lambing season,” he said.

“They should know where their animals are at all times.

“In this case, it’s possible the dog could have escaped from its owner’s garden after being let out late at night.”