A distraught young farmer has criticised the owner of two dogs which savagely attacked and killed her pedigree sheep.
A ewe and two lambs were mauled to death following the incident in Hewish on April 27.
Four lambs which belonged to a neighbouring farmer also died, with one having drowned, as a result of the ‘awful’ ambush.
Harriet Tibbs, who owns Little Orchard Beltex with her partner Jamie Harraway, rushed home from Sedgemoor Market after receiving a call from her friend about the incident.
She arrived 45 minutes later to discover the animals from her flock of 30 sheep were dead, including one due to take part in a show, in a field off the A370.
Harriet also had to free several of the animals from hedges and ditches at her farmland.
The 25-year-old said: “The worst thing about the attack is the owner of the dog which caused this much destruction probably thought nothing of their pet coming home covered in blood.
“I hope you see this and realise how much pain, suffering and upset your four-legged friends have caused.”
Thankfully, other sheep which were injured in the attack are now making a ‘great recovery’.
Rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual Tim Price said: “Livestock worth more than £1million has been savaged by dogs in the South West over the past four years and we have seen claims of this type more than double in this time.
“The vast majority of dog owners are responsible, but there are those who don’t know or care to learn their pet can attack livestock and cause problems, which brings all owners into disrepute.”
Harriet and Jamie bought their first ewes in 2017 and added a pedigree Beltex flock to the business in March last year.
Only six instead of seven of their sheep are attending the agricultural show at North Somerset Showground, in Wraxall, today (Monday).
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Constabulary said: “We were called to reports of two dogs attacking lambs near Hewish at about 11.15am on April 27.
“Four were killed and the matter has been recorded and filed pending further evidence.
“Owners’ dogs which have caused sheep worrying could see a large vets bill, prosecution and their animal being destroyed as a result of the offence.”
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