North Wales farmer's horror as sheep savaged in dog attack

UNITED KINGDOM -- A farmer has spoken of his horror after discovering four of his prized ewes had been violently savaged by a dog.

The animals suffered horrific face and neck injuries during the attack which happened on November 26 in a field at Bistre Farm in Buckley.

One sheep was found dead at the scene and the other three have since had to be put down. Two more ewes are still missing.

Retired farmer Idris Roberts, 68, was looking after the animals for his son Daniel when he had a call to say that a member of the public had reported to police that a dog was killing sheep.

He said: “They were very good in reporting it. It could have been a lot worse, a lot more sheep could have been killed.”

Mr Roberts, who owns a farm in Treuddyn but has rented the Buckley farm for a number of years, says there were around 80 ewes in the field.

“We rear them, they were due to lamb in March and had only been on the field for a month.

“Two weeks ago another sheep in a neighbouring field was injured but this is the first time any of ours have been attacked.

“I am told that the dog was a Rottweiler and that it was shot at twice and hit but they’re big strong things.

“The police have been marvellous. They came out and went searching for the owner of the dog by going house to house.

“Officers say that this is a particularly bad case. They had their bottom jaws bitten off, it’s cruel and nasty.

“There are a lot of dogs in Buckley and every one of them is kept on a lead and they are exceptionally good but it only takes one to cause this kind of damage.”

Mr Roberts would like to thank the police and public for their help.

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “We had a report on November 26 that three sheep were found injured at a farm in Buckley. The farmer believes a dog may have been responsible.

“Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 using the reference number R185946.”

(Daily Post UK - Dec 1, 2014)