Sheep injured in 'savage' attack in Devon field
- Published
Four sheep have been put down after suffering "horrific" injuries when they were attacked in a field.
Fifteen animals were injured early on Sunday in a field in the South Brent area of Devon, police in Totnes said on Facebook, external.
Devon and Cornwall Police said four were "immediately shot" when found, "having endured a night lying with much of their insides ripped out".
Two dogs are thought to be responsible, the force added.
A National Farmers Union (NFU) spokesman said the case emphasised the importance of keeping dogs on a lead whenever they are around farm animals.
The animals, which had to be put down after the attack - believed to have happened between 00:00 BST and 02:00, included two lambs.
It was "deeply distressing for the farmer", police said.
Officers added the picture they posted on social media of one surviving animal - a ewe with "chunks of its body ripped out" - was "the only photograph suitable to publicly show".