Sheep killed by out-of-control dog on South Yorkshire care farm

The ram was found dead on Saturday afternoon (Photo: Chris Bristow/Greave House Farm Trust)
The ram was found dead on Saturday afternoon (Photo: Chris Bristow/Greave House Farm Trust)

A sheep has been savaged by an out-of-control dog on a South Yorkshire farm catering towards helping people with mental health difficulties.

Greave House Farm Trust, in Stocksbridge, witnessed a dog attack on one of its rams, named Dandelion on Saturday (12 May).

The care farm helps people with learning disabilities and mental health problems, and the livestock on the farm provides therapeutic care.

The death of the ram has caused distress amongst the community at the farm, with one girl described as "heartbroken".

Chris Bristow, who co-runs the farm with his wife Barbara, has now issued a plea to dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead at all times when near livestock.

"We're very upset by what happened, and the girl who discovered Dandelion was heartbroken. It's particularly upsetting because we've had lots of families recently coming to see the lambs," Mr Bristow told Sheffield-based paper The Star.

"We get quite a few ignorant people with dogs who just don't know how to control them. You may think your dog's the most timid, well-behaved pet in the world but you must always keep them on a lead when you're out anywhere near a farm, especially where there are sheep."

Mr Bristow issued out the graphic image to educate people on the devastating aftermath of a dog attack on sheep.

Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual recently revealed that the cost of claims related to livestock worrying has reached a record level of £1.6 million