A ‘HORRENDOUS’ attack on a lamb has prompted another warning to dog walkers to keep their pets under control.
The young lamb was in a field in Tanworth in Arden when it was savaged by a dog.
An image showing the sheep missing the skin from his back leg and with deep bite marks was posted on facebook by Dave Doody and has since been shared some 2,500 times.
Mr Doody, from Solihull, works alongside his father at livestock transport company M Doody & Son.
He said: “To the thoughtless coward of the Tanworth in Arden community, who has let their dog off the lead in a field of ewes and lambs at the bottom of the church yard, you have left this poor lamb suffering deep lacerations to his rear leg, because you have taken no notice of the ‘keep dogs on a lead’ sign.
“Any dogs seen roaming off a lead in the field will be shot. This attack was horrendous and it’s the second time we have had dog problems.
“This little chap had a rough start as it is. His mother didn’t have enough milk so my mother kept him going by topping him up on a bottle. She found him. She’s distraught.
“We’re trying our best for him. He’s on antibiotics and painkillers and is living in the kitchen with another pet lamb. His spirit is strong and h’s feeding well so hopefully he will be alright, only time will tell.”
The attack is believed to have taken place on Sunday (March 19) between 7.30am and 10am.
Residents in Tanworth and the surrounding areas have taken to facebook to voice their upset at the attack.
Many urge dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead while walking near livestock. Some fellow farmers even say they have shot dogs because of an attack and have also had to shoot lambs to put them out of pain.
The incident is one of a spate across south Warwickshire, with farmers shooting five dogs earlier this year.
Attacks at farms near Leamington and Daventry saw the dogs kill a number of pregnant sheep.
Police are warning walkers to keep their dogs on a lead around livestock.
PC Mike Barnett said: “We are at the very beginning of lambing season and we are already starting to have problems with dogs. Farmers are within their rights to shoot dogs worrying sheep on their land.
“To lose sheep and unborn lambs has a big effect on farmers’ livelihoods. To lose a loved pet causes huge upset for dog owners too.
“All it takes to avoid this distress is to keep dogs on leads and make sure they cannot get out and run loose.”
Farmers can get signage to put up on their properties by contacting local police. Visit www.warwickshire.police.uk/myarea to find out more.
Dog owners can visit www.warwickshire.police.uk for advice and information.
