'Loose dogs killed our sheep and cost us £15,000'

Sheep worrying can cause physical and emotional damage to livestock and their unborn lambs

A farmer whose sheep were savaged by dogs says the attacks on his flock has been one of the most emotionally stressful periods of his job.

Neil Ridgway, who runs a farm at Stowell in Wiltshire, said 12 of his sheep were either killed or had injuries so severe they had to be put down after a recent attack.

Findings by the National Sheep Association revealed many rural crime teams reported a rise in dog attacks on sheep over recent years.

Mr Ridgway said: "It's emotionally draining at the best of times and you can see why it's the end for some farmers because they can't cope with the losses anymore."

The six which survived the dog attack now have "life-affecting injuries", Mr Ridgway explained.

"Some of the poor devils can't hear now because they've got no ears," he said.

"Over the last two years it would have cost well over £15,000 across the two attacks.

"We still have the reminders today when we're handling the sheep."

Paul Barnes, who is a shepherd at the farm, said: "They [the sheep] were scattered around the field and some had some horrific injuries.

"Vets that came and treated were absolutely marvellous, but some of them were beyond treating."

Mr Ridgway said the two attacks have cost them £15,000

Ed Bailey, a vet at The George Farm Vets, said he is seeing a rise in sheep attacks in Wiltshire.

"People assume their dog wouldn't do that, that their dog is a lovable family pet," he said.

"Without the control of a lead no one can be 100% sure of that."

He added: "It's hugely stressful for the whole flock of sheep, not just the ones which are physically injured.

"The level of injury is more serious than what you see on the surface.

Wiltshire Police Officers are urging dog owners to keep their animals on a lead near livestock, particularly near sheep during lambing season which runs between November to May.

The force added it has received numerous reports of dogs off leads and chasing sheep on farmland.