United Kingdom-Dog attack on sheep.

UNITED KINGDOM-VICIOUS dog attacks left six sheep dead, each one known by name by young people with learning disabilities who help to run the farm at a charity activity centre.

A group of youngsters were with staff when the final upsetting discovery was made at Vitalise Churchtown in Lanlivery.

The animals offered rewarding hands-on work experience to as many as 40 service-users during the day.

The whole centre is mourning the loss of their playful and tame woolly friends.

The future of its farm is uncertain.

Centre manager Gabbie Robinson said: "It is just horrendous and everyone here is really sad.

"Saffron and Poppy are dead along with the four boys which we called the ’famous four’.

"Now only Lotti is left and the vet said the shock may still kill her.

"We are looking for a safe home for her as sheep are obviously not safe here.

"The young people were with the staff when they found the last two sheep and are coping, but it is a real shock.

"They used to come and say hello to us in the field and we would pet them."

Mrs Robinson, 40, said the three attacks – in November, on New Year’s Day and on Wednesday, January 28 also had financial implications for the centre.

"We were breeding lambs and the meat from the sheep would either go in our freezer or we would sell it.

"The sheep were main part of the farm and we don’t have the money to replace them.

"We have had to take our goats inside now too.

"It is such a shame as the service users got great enjoyment from working with the sheep."

Following the first attack, the remaining shaken animals had been moved to another field.

They were taken inside at night time but this cost money for bedding and heating.

"Sheep are farm animals and they should be kept outside – this has cost us money we can’t afford," said Mrs Robinson.