FOLLOWING recent spates of attacks on sheep by dogs, a further incident occurred on the Crediton/Sandford boundary during the afternoon of Friday, October 17.

The farmer and owner of the livestock involved in the recent attack, Jonathan Stephens, explained that it was “two dogs that violently attacked a flock of sheep.”

He continued: “The owner of the dogs had left the public footpath and was on private land with dogs off the lead.

“The dogs were out of control and violently attacked a flock of sheep for a prolonged period of time until they were eventually caught for the owner to regain control.”

He added: “This incident was witnessed by two individuals who were visibly distressed by it, as were the sheep.

“The owner of the dogs has been found, the police have been informed and local veterinarian advice has been sought for the sheep.”

Mr Stephens added that the NSA (National Sheep Association) and NFU (National Farmers’ Union) are helping him with legal advice and guidance.

He appealed to people to keep dogs on leads at all times when out walking in the area.

He continued: “The local farmland and livestock are farmers business and livelihoods which are under extreme pressures currently with the drought, bluetongue disease and global financial crisis.”

Mr Stephens reminds dog owners: “We have a number of safe dog paddocks in the area to exercise dogs with behavioural issues or with lack of recall.

“Also, the police have been given greater powers in the last year to put legal controls on these type of dogs, along with the rights a livestock owner has to shoot a dog on sight in an incident of this type.”

During dog attack incidents in the Crediton area in September, 35 sheep were killed and dozens suffered serious injuries.

On September 25, Police said that a dog suspected of the attacks in the Crediton and Cheriton Fitzpaine areas had been put down.

Between September 18 and 19 a ewe was killed and another injured in the Poughill area and six lambs were killed and 20 seriously injured in the Pennymoor area. One sheep was killed and several injured near Cheriton Fitzpaine.

Between September 1 and 3 attacks resulted in £15,000 loss and injury to livestock.

Further incidents were reported in Cheriton Fitzpaine and Stockleigh English.

Rural Affairs Officer PC Lucy Wyatt recently said: “We appreciate the concern these incidents have caused to local farmers in Mid Devon, and we would like to thank those who have come forward with information to assist our enquiries.

“We would like to take the opportunity to remind all dog owners of their responsibilities in relation to their dogs.

“Owners should ensure their dogs remain under control at all times and are aware of the impact that livestock worrying can have on farming communities.

“Livestock attacks can cause significant distress and financial loss to farmers, and owners may face criminal investigation where dogs are involved in chasing, injuring or attacking livestock.”

Anyone who witnesses livestock worrying or a dog acting dangerously around livestock is encouraged to report it to police as soon as possible on 999 in an emergency, or 101 in a non-emergency.