Dog shot dead after 19 sheep killed in two attacks

A total of 19 sheep have died as a result of the two recent attacks (file image)

A dog has been shot dead after 19 sheep were killed and others injured in series of attacks.

Cheshire Police said a dozen animals were killed at some point between Thursday evening and Friday morning on farmland on the outskirts of Congleton.

Others died from their injuries or were killed in a separate attack on Monday, police said.

A farmer killed one of the two dogs involved with a shotgun and police said the second later returned home.

"We assess that the actions of the farmer were proportionate, necessary and legal,” Cheshire Police said a statement.

"No farmer wants to have to shoot a dog but sadly they have been left with absolutely no choice on this occasion."

Officers deployed a drone to search for the second dog, described as a ginger cross-breed about the size of a Labrador, before it returned home.

The force said the owner of the dogs had come forward and would be interviewed under caution later.

It added the shooting was "clearly a sensitive matter" and it asked people to allow officers to conduct their investigation "without undue speculation".