Farmer's heartbreak as lambs killed in dog attack

The attack cost Ollie Raybould about £3,500

A farmer has spoken of his heartbreak after finding a dozen of his lambs killed or injured after a dog attack.

"I spent six months of these lambs lives rearing them, looking after them, since they were born and to find them killed in a field brutally by a dog was horrible," Ollie Raybould said.

He said finding the animals was a sight that was becoming increasingly common for farmers.

Insurance firm NFU Mutual said nearly £500,000 worth of livestock was killed or severely injured in dog attacks in the Midlands last year, representing a 36% increase from the previous year.

Mr Raybould, from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, said the attack happened in September and cost him about £3,500.

He said the lack of options to address the issue was becoming increasingly frustrating.

"It's getting worse and worse, and there's less we can do about it.

"Yes, we can shoot a dog if it gets on the property, but it's rare that we're going to find the dog in the middle of the night."