More than 30 sheep have been killed in what police descrbed as an "horrific double dog attack". Footage isued by police shows what Warwickshire Rural Crime Team described as the "absolute carnage" officers found upon attending a report of sheep-worrying near Stretton on Dunsmore.
In a new post on social media, they said more than 30 ewes - female sheep - were killed during the night of February 19 after two dogs escaped from a nearby garden. The owner failed to capture the dogs and made no attempt to alert nearby farmers or authorities, police say.
The crime team said in the post: "On the morning of the 20th Feb, two neighboring farmers and shepherds were able to catch one of the dogs, stopping it from attacking the rest of the flock. The second dog eventually made its way back home.
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"We quickly identified the owner of both dogs and attended the address. A dog control order was immediately issued to the owner to protect both the public and other animals."
Police say it was the farmer's wishes that the matter be formally dealt with through a Community Resolution (out-of-court procedure). As such, the owner agreed to:
- Pay costs of £3,300 directly to the farmer
- Voluntarily destroy one dog
- Agree not to allow the dog to be left outside unattended at any time
- Ensure the perimeter of the property is secure
- Ensure dogs wear a muzzle in public
- Ensure dogs are in the control of an adult at all times
The team said: "This type of incident causes a significant amount of unnecessary distress to all parties and can be easily avoided. Each year, we regrettably receive multiple reports of dog vs. sheep incidents, but this is by far the worst single attack our team has had to deal with.
"Please, if you walk your dog near livestock, keep them on a lead. If you live in an area where livestock graze, make every effort you can to secure your garden."
