Sheep-killing XL bullies shooting caught on camera

Media caption,

The moment a farmer shoots two dogs attacking his sheep is caught on camera

  • Published

The moment a farmer shot dead two XL bullies after they killed dozens of his sheep has been caught on camera.

The two dogs got into the sheep's pen at Paul Jones's farm in Rhosllanerchrugog, near Wrexham, last year.

Bodycam footage shows North Wales Police officers arriving but - with firearms officers still 25 miles (40km) away - Mr Jones was forced to take action.

In total, 24 pregnant ewes were killed in the attack, with a further 46 injured, before both dogs were shot.

Warning: This article contains images of dead sheep

In the footage, filmed for S4C's Y Llinell Las, Mr Jones - with a shotgun in his hand - is seen telling police that about 15 sheep were already dead, with a total of 110 in the pen with the dogs.

"He's allowed to kill them, isn't he?" one officer is heard asking a colleague.

Another officer then tells Mr Jones that it is "more than lawful" for him to shoot both dogs.

Image caption,

Paul Jones said he found the dogs "savaging" his sheep

Mr Jones told the officers: "These dogs will come out and they're going to come at me."

After being told firearms officers were still miles away, Mr Jones took his shotgun and entered the barn.

The dogs can be heard barking, before a gunshot is fired.

"Are they both dead?" an officer asked.

"No they're not, they're still moving," replied Mr Jones.

"Still moving? It's there, it's coming at us," said an officer while running away, before another gunshot is heard.

Image source, S4C | Y Llinell Las
Image caption,

Police told Mr Jones it was "more than lawful" to shoot the dogs

Mr Jones previously told BBC Wales he was still struggling to come to terms with the "horrifying" attack and his "only solace" was that it was him facing the dogs and not his son or elderly mother.

He added: "Everyone who attended that day, it affected... they threw those sheep around like they were paper."

Image source, S4C | Y Llinell Las
Image caption,

Mr Jones said the incident, which also cost him £14,000, was "horrifying"

The owner of the dogs David Hughes, then 26, admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and being the owner of a dog worrying livestock.

He was banned from keeping dogs for five years and fined £900.

At the time, North Wales Police said dog attacks like the one Mr Jones suffered were "too common".

"It is so important to ensure pets are always kept on a lead and under control around in the countryside - or if left at home alone - that the house or garden are secure," said PC Chris Jones of the force's Rural Crime Team.