A farmer from North Yorkshire has issued a plea after one of her sheep died from horrific injuries caused to the neck.
Shepherdess Rachel Turnbull came across the dead sheep, which has left two lambs orphaned.
The attacked happened in the Westfields area, near Richmond on Wednesday (28 June).
Miss Turnbull told FarmingUK: “I had checked the ewes the day before and everything was fine. On Thursday morning I had gone to check the same field again.
“I found a ewe at the bottom of the field dead with wounds to her neck and right hind leg.
“The jugular vein had been severed in her neck and she had then bled out and died. A member of the public had mentioned to me last night, that on Wednesday evening at about 5pm the sheep sounded upset and lots of noise coming from them.
“Now this being the time that everyone comes back from work to walk their dogs this is a regular thing and thought nothing more.
“As I was at our other farm I never saw or heard anything. The ewe was about 3 shear and was a big fit ewe that's obviously stood her ground.”
Legal right to shoot
It comes as news that a Wiltshire farmer shot dead a dog which ran havoc and savaged two of his sheep.
By law, dogs must be controlled so that they do not scare or disturb livestock or wildlife.
Farmers have a legal right to shoot dogs if they are out of control on their land.
However, the National Sheep Association said it recommends that farmers only shoot dogs as a last resort, as the legality of a shooting depends on whether a farmer had a lawful excuse for shooting the dog in that individual circumstance.
Dog owners are being reminded to keep their pets under control and on a lead whilst walking in or near fields with livestock in them.
Anyone with information about the Richmond incident is asked to phone North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce on 101, quoting reference number 12170113636.
