Two loose dogs kill twelve sheep on Hertfordshire farm

One man has been arrested on suspicion of having a dangerous dog out of control
One man has been arrested on suspicion of having a dangerous dog out of control

Two out-of-control dogs have savaged twelve sheep on an East Hertfordshire farm and the number of deaths could rise, police have said.

Officers from East Herts Rural Police were called to a field close to Much Hadham at 5.40am on Sunday (March 18).

Police have warned that the fatality figure may rise following the attack, which has left some sheep seriously injured.

An investigation is now underway and one man has been arrested on suspicion of having a dangerous dog out of control.

Forensic gathering will now commence in the area following the attack.

East Herts Chief Inspector Gerry McDonalds said: “We have worked to detain the dogs this morning and trace their owners as well as the owners of the sheep. Work is also underway to gather forensic evidence in relation to what happened.

“We understand this is an emotive issue and we recognise the impact it can have on our rural community.

“We are doing everything we can to investigate this matter so that where appropriate charges can be brought against anyone found to be responsible.”

A spokesman from Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “A police investigation has been launched following an incident that has left a significant number of livestock dead in East Herts.

“Officers attended immediately following a report at 5.40am this morning of two dogs chasing sheep in fields near Much Hadham.”

'Incredibly frustrated'

The incident follows news of farmers within the Lake District installing signs en masse warning dog owners not to let their pets off the lead near sheep during crucial lambing.

And police in Sussex have issued a statement saying that the force is "incredibly frustrated" after news of more dog attacks on sheep in the county, with one officer saying he is "incensed."

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 across the UK.

The figures follow the release of a report by the All Party Parliamentary Animal Welfare Group which shows more than 1,800 farm animals have been killed by dog attacks in the space of four years.