A SHEEP farmer from Cleeve Prior lost a third of his valuable breeding ewes after the flock was attacked by dogs last week.

Four of the pedigree Wiltshire Horns had to be put down after the attack, which happened in a field off Evesham Road last Thursday afternoon.

Owner George Rainer, who lives at Field Barn Bungalow, was away for the day when the incident happened but was summoned home by a neighbour.

"Apparently a passing motorist saw dogs in the field worrying the sheep and he called the police," said Mr Rainer.

"They called the vet and four of them had to be destroyed," he said. "One had had its leg almost bitten off."

The sheep, part of a flock of 35, were worth hundreds of pounds and Mr Rainer said the whole event made him feel "rather sick".

A former vegetable grower Mr Rainer has been breeding sheep for the past six years. Although this is the first time his sheep have been attacked he was aware of similar incidents in the area earlier in the year.

In February, dogs were blamed for attacks on sheep at Oxtalls Farm in Evesham after farmer James Brown lost several animals.

Peter Foulds, group secretary of the NFU in Evesham, said that he has not had any reports recently but said: "Livestock worrying is a serious matter.

"We expect owners to keep their dogs under control and keep them on a lead if they are going through a field of sheep.

"And if anyone sees a dog loose in a field they should report it to the police."

Anyone with information about sheep worrying should call the police on 084457444888.