Pregnant sheep killed in North York Moors dog attack
Police are issuing a warning to dog owners.
Police have issued a warning to dog owners after a pregnant sheep was attacked and killed in the North York Moors.
On Wednesday afternoon, a sheep was mauled on moorland north of Danby. It is believed it was attacked by a dog.
The ewe was in lamb, and its injuries were so severe it had to be put down.
Warning posters are being displayed in the area where the attacks took place, and police are urging anyone with information about the attack to come forward.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “Attacks on livestock have a huge financial impact, not to mention the distress that a farmer goes through by finding dead or dying animals suffering from horrific injuries.
“It is vital for the safety and welfare of livestock and dogs themselves, that owners keep their pets under control at all times. Failure to do so can have devastating consequences.”
In 2018, North Yorkshire Police contributed to an expert report by the National Police Chiefs’ Council Livestock Worrying Police Working Group. Their research found that about one in ten of livestock attacks involve repeat offenders – owners whose dog had worried or caused damage to livestock before – highlighting the importance of reporting all such incidents to the police.