Farmer 'absolutely devastated' after sheep were killed by dogs at a farm in a village near Harborough

Dogs have left 13 sheep dead after they attacked a flock at a farm in a village near Market Harborough.

The dogs killed several 12-month-old lambs in a field in Braybrooke while some were so badly mauled they had to be put to sleep.

And four seriously-injured animals are still being treated by a vet.

The horrific overnight weekend attack, which is now being investigated by police, has left the stunned farmer “absolutely devastated”.

Daniel Howes, 50, who runs neighbouring Eckland Lodge Farm and is a good friend of the farmer targeted, told the Harborough Mail: “This was a horrendous onslaught on these poor lambs – it was absolute carnage.

“The farmer who’s been hit is absolutely devastated.

“It was his birthday the next day.

“But he’s been so sickened by it that he hasn’t been able to eat never mind talk about this horror.”

He said the shell-shocked farmer, who’s asked not to be named, called him early on Saturday morning (November 7) to ask for his help.

“The poor man was totally distraught, beside himself.

“He’d gone into his field at first light as usual and quickly found a couple of dead sheep that had been savagely mauled,” said Daniel, whose family have farmed his land locally for 400 years.

“We went round his field and finally managed to get his flock into sheep pens.

“And only then did the true extent of the carnage unfold.

“Several sheep had been killed by the dogs outright.

“We called the vet and more lambs had to be humanely put down because they were so horribly injured.

“The sheep attacked had suffered huge bite marks on their necks and some had their faces ripped off.

“It was just unbelievable.

“There was blood everywhere.

“We were covered in blood and the poor sheep were drenched in blood,” said Daniel.

“Four lambs are still being treated by the vet at the minute.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that more than one dog did this because the bloodshed inflicted was that terrible.

“And the vet told us they were large dogs judging by the size of the bite marks.

“It took us most of Saturday to sort out the sheep – they’d all been left traumatised.

“The poor things must have been running round in terror all night and they were shattered and extremely stressed.

“The farmer has got mostly Suffolk and Texels – he’s got a couple of hundred or so.

“We can’t believe that the owner of these dogs has not come forward.

“They would have turned up at home soaked in blood so it should have been obvious straight away what they’d been up to.

“We are also worried that now they have got a taste for blood they will attack again.

“Attacking sheep and watching them try to run away is just like a game for dogs like this – it’s like throwing a stick for them.”

The dead sheep were worth about £1,200 while the farmer will also have to pay the vet’s bills.

“But this isn’t about the money or the financial loss.

“This farmer, like all of us, cares deeply for his animals.

“He can’t go to bed now without worrying that his sheep will get attacked again,” said Daniel.

“I posted this terrible incident up on to our Facebook page – and the public response has shot off the scale.

“The story has already generated 205,000 views.

“Shocked, horrified people have been ringing me all the time – offering their support, expressing their horror, even offering to come along and help out.

“We want to thank each and every one of them because they have been brilliant.

“There’s no doubt that dog attacks on livestock are rocketing all over the country.

“Owners have to be far more responsible and keep their dogs on leads and under control at all times while they are out and about.

“In this case I would appeal to the dogs’ owner to get in touch with the police and own up.

“We simply can’t have killer dogs like this running wild through our countryside and across our farms attacking animals between Market Harborough and Desborough.”

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: “This happened overnight between 10pm on Friday November 6 and 7.30am on Saturday November 7 when 13 lambs were attacked and killed by an unknown animal, believed to be a large dog.

“The value of the loss is about £1,200.

“If anyone knows anything they are encouraged to come forward.

“You can call the police on 101 and the incident number is 20000588689.”