Eleven sheep killed in ‘tragic’ dog attack

Seven sheep were mauled to death and a further four had to be put down following a dog attack on a Lincolnshire farm.

The sheep were attacked by two dogs in a farmer’s field in Saltfleetby, near Louth on Friday (13 February). Some of the sheep killed were in-lamb ewes.

Lincolnshire Police are investigating the attack and both the owner and farmers were “co-operating fully with officers”.

See also: Dog owners warned as lambing season begins

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman described the attack as “the worst case of dog worrying the area had seen for quite some time”.

He said: “The sheep-worrying incident was reported to police at 7.45pm on Friday, 13 February. It was on a field bordering the B12000 road in Saltfleetby, St Peter.

“There were 29 sheep in the field, 11 of which eventually died. Of the 29, only three were uninjured. At the least, the injured sheep all suffered cuts and ear nibbling.

“The dogs suspected of the attack were caught and are currently back with their owner. We are investigating this incident with a view to any further action. It’s a tragic event.”

The farmers who own the sheep have been left “saddened and in an emotional state” by the attacks, the spokesman added. 

A team from James Street Vets, Louth, were called to the incident.

Later, the company posted a message on its Facebook website detailing the incident and pleading with dog owners to keep their pets on leads near livestock this lambing season.

“Vet Sophie and nurse Sarah (and a wee bit of Peter) have just spent three hours on one of our farms stitching up wounds in a flock of sheep after a dog attack,” said the statement.

“Several had to be put to sleep. As the farming season begins its year again, please keep all dogs on leads when near livestock.”