Eighteen sheep have died after apparently being panicked into running on to a road by dogs in a suspected sheep worrying incident.
The sheep, all ewes heavily in lamb, were being grazed in a field off the A269 just south of Boreham Bridge, between Ninfield and Herstmonceux in East Sussex.
After being alerted by the land owner that one of his animals had been hit by a car, the owner of the sheep found police at the scene, where 18 sheep were dead on the road and in a nearby ditch.
He arrived at the scene near the entrance to Little Standard Hill Farm to discover that police were already in attendance where a badly damaged BMW had come to a halt, airbags deployed.
A further 60 sheep were affected and it is feared they may have to abort their lambs in the coming days.
'Very shaken'
The driver was unharmed, but reported to be ‘very shaken’. A total of 18 sheep lay dead on the road and into an adjoining ditch.
The dead sheep were worth more than £2,500 and their unborn lambs at least another £1,350.
A neighbouring property owner reported that between 3pm and 4pm on Sunday, two people had been seen walking two dogs, thought to be brown labradors, in the area, although there are no public rights of way.
It is suspected the dogs may have spooked the sheep causing them to stampede and break their way out of the field.
Sergeant Tom Carter said: "Aside from the financial cost, there is the emotional impact on those who have raised and nurtured their stock."
