Three sheep have been killed and 35 injured following a dog attack in a Herefordshire village.
The flock of 120 sheep in Much Dewchurch, in south Herefordshire, were attacked approximately between 4pm on Thursday (October 5) and 11am the following morning.
The livestock are owned by the Price family who farm at Hills Farm. Their 11-year-old daughter is said to be "devastated" as one of her pedigree sheep had been injured.
Two sheep had to be put down because of the serious injuries, and one sheep was found dead on arrival.
35 more have bite wounds to the neck and throat.
The escalating problems caused by livestock worrying have been recently highlighted at an All Party Group on Animal Welfare (APGAW) in London.
The APGAW heard from farmers, landowners, local government, police and dog charities on what has been done to tackle and prevent dog attacks on livestock, with a view to establishing best practise as a way to reduce the number of attacks.
One of the groups that attended the meeting, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), stressed that in order to protect farm businesses from severe financial and emotional stress, it is imperative that improved public awareness is coupled with central recording of incidences, tighter regulation and better enforcement.
The attack in Herefordshire has been reported to the police. If you have any information which could help police with their investigation call 101.
