Sheep attacked near Combe Gibbet

Farmer fears dog may have been set on sheep for training in fights

DOGS have savaged a flock of sheep in West Berkshire, with two killed and nine injured.

The farmer who owns the flock, Ted Sclater, arrived at his land near Combe Gibbet on Monday morning to find the sheep in a desperate state, with several needing penicillin to prevent infection.

He said that the bite marks were characteristic of a large dog, rather than a fox or badger: “The sheep all have injuries to their heads and rear, it takes quite a large, vicious dog, like an Alsatian or a Bullmastive type dog to do that.

“I have a feeling somebody is coming up blooding their dogs, there must have been at least two or three dogs here.”

He added that on at least one previous occasion, a dog owner was prosecuted after he was seen with a dog who had been harassing his flock.

But he also asked local dog owners in the area to make sure they know where their pets are: “This is a very serious issue, if your dog strays for more than 12 hours, inspect its jaw to see if it has been harassing lifestock.”

The incident is currently being investigated by PCSO Lee Bremner of the Hungerford policing team.

She appealed for witnesses, asking anyone with information to contact her on 07969 592257, adding: “This is an important time in the sheep calendar and dog owners should be a bit more considerate and careful, making sure they have their dogs under control at all times.”