Claudia Schiffer cautioned after her dog injures three sheep
Claudia Schiffer © James Shaw/REX/Shutterstock
Supermodel Claudia Schiffer has been given a police caution after her dog savaged an in-lamb ewe and mauled two more sheep.
Officers found the supermodel and film director husband Matthew Vaughn’s German shepherd covered in blood after biting a ewe’s neck. The sheep had to be put down.
According to The Sun, officers from Northamptonshire Police told the farmer it would have been illegal to shoot the dog as he had it under control.
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Ms Schiffer, 48, and Mr Vaughn, 47, feared their dog would have to be put down. They are said to be “mortified” at being considered irresponsible dog owners.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire said: “Northamptonshire Police were called at about 11.30am on Wednesday 14 November, to reports of a dog worrying sheep in a field between Culworth and Eydon in south Northamptonshire.
“The dog was caught by the farmer after causing injury to three sheep. It was agreed by all parties that a voluntary control order was the most appropriate resolution to the incident.”
Vet’s bill
The farmer is understood to be taking legal advice amid claims from locals that the incident left him with a £3,000 vet’s bill as a result of treatment given to the injured sheep.
A neighbouring farmer said: “Everyone is aware of this incident in the village. Hopefully, it will make people aware that dogs can kill sheep. It’s a dog’s instinct.
Another farmer from Culworth said: “Unfortunately, every village has one or two irresponsible dog owners.
“The concern here is once the dog gets a taste of killing a sheep, they will do it again. It’s like a kid in a sweet shop. They can’t resist it.”
Ms Schiffer has spoken about her love for German shepherds and Irish wolfhounds.
Police previously warned the supermodel about keeping her dogs under control in 2006 and 2010.
A neighbouring farmer who was present at the time of the incident has written an appeal in his local newsletter urging local dog owners to keep their pets on a lead in the countryside.