The charity that looks after the Malvern Hills is pleading with people to keep their dogs on leads after another sheep was killed by a dog.
The Malvern Hills Trust received a report on Saturday, December 10, that a dead sheep had been found in a stream at Happy Valley.
When the sheep was found by a grazier, it was lying dead in the stream with significant dog bite wounds. A large part of the sheep’s shoulder was missing.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES INCLUDED IN ARTICLE
This incident is one of 12 livestock worrying incidents reported over the past six months.
Four sheep have died and a further three suffered bite injuries.
READ MORE: Sheep injured in dog attack, says Malvern Hills Trust
Beck Baker, a community and conservation officer for the trust, said: "We are extremely saddened to report that another sheep has been killed by a pet dog on the Malvern Hills.
“The sheep would have had a horrific end to its life, being chased out of the grazing compartment, down the hill, severely injured by the dog and died in a cold, wet stream.
“Due to the severity of the incident, it is likely that the dog was away from the owner for a significant period and would have been ‘missed’ by the owners.
'Extremely distressing'
“We urge anyone who knows anything about this incident which happened the evening of December 9 or early morning of Saturday, December 10 to please contact the Trust with further information.”
Livestock worrying, which includes chasing, is a criminal offence and the details of this incident and the others have been reported to the police.
John Chance, a grazier on the hills, said: “To see sheep killed in such an attack is extremely distressing.
“The sheep will have been afraid and suffered in its last moments as it bled to death. Even if sheep aren’t killed, the act of chasing by dogs causes severe distress to the animals which can result in injury or other complications.
“When attending incidents, I often hear the reply ‘I didn't think my dog would do that’. It's important to remember that the dog is the predator and the sheep is the prey. You may think your dog is harmless but the sheep is running for its life.”
Witnesses to livestock worrying incidents are asked to call the Trust on 01684 892002 and the police on 101 to report the offence.
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