15 sheep massacred in dog attack on Gloucestershire farm

Fifteen sheep have been killed and four others seriously injured in a horrific dog attack on a farm in Gloucestershire.

The massacre happened on Lowesmore Farm, Cherington, sometime between 3pm on Monday 14 December and 9am on Tuesday 15 December.

See also: Sussex farmer distraught after 18 sheep massacred overnight

Farm manager Mike Wilkins said it was “like an assassination”.

He told Farmers Weekly: “It seems that it may well have been a single dog, all of the sheep attacked have a single attack mark, every single one. The dog has gone immediately to the throat.”

Mr Wilkins said his shepherd and another farm worker made the gruesome discovery and then alerted the police and vet.

“Even the vet, who knew exactly what he was coming out to find, he stopped because it was that shocking to see. They were scattered across the whole field, it looked like utter carnage, a horrible thing to find,” Mr Wilkins added.

The farm manager said the cost to the business would be several thousand pounds. This included the value of the livestock, vet bill and wages for the staff who had to clear up the carnage.

“I hope this opens peoples eyes to the damage that can be caused. Around Christmas time when lots of people are going to be out on dog walks, please remember this and be sensible. It really is the responsibility of the dog owner, if you are anywhere near livestock it is not worth the risk letting the dog off the lead,” Mr Wilkins said.

Gloucestershire Police urged the owner of the dog to come forward and for any witnesses to contact the force on 101, quoting incident 144 of 15 December.

‘Alarming increase’

The National Sheep Association (NSA) said it had received an “alarming increase” in reports of dog attacks on sheep over the past month.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “Attacks on sheep often cause huge financial cost for the farmer, but for most the initial stress and anxiety is equally impactful.

“The only way to avoid incidents like this is for dog owners to take proper responsibility for the dogs – know where they are at all times and keep them on leads anywhere in the vicinity of livestock.”