FARMERS are warning dog walkers to keep control of their pets after a gruesome attack which left one sheep dead.

Hugh Passmore, from Applesham Farm, Lancing, was checking his flock when he found an ewe that had been savaged by a dog.

He said: “As I went to check the sheep, they were all bunched up in the corner of the field and I knew something was wrong. I then found the ewe, which had been attacked. She was still alive, but the back of her neck had been ripped out by the dog.”

Mr Passmore called a vet out to the farm to assess the ewe, but the vet decided that it had to be put down as a result of its injuries.

Tim Potter, from Westpoint Farm Vets, who attended the ewe, said: “The attack was particularly savage, with multiple severe wounds consistent with dog bites. The ewe had one ear missing and a six inch deep wound stretching right round the back of her neck. Unfortunately we had to put her down.”

There were no witnesses to the attack, so Mr Passmore is doubtful the police will be able to locate the dog or owner.

Figures from Sussex Police show that there were 121 recorded cases of livestock worrying in 2014, but the National Farmers Union warn this is often only a small proportion of the actual number of attacks.

James Osman, NFU Sussex County Adviser, said: “The vast majority of dog owners and walkers are considerate, but we are very concerned at the rising number of attacks on livestock by dogs that we hear about from farmers.

"Even if dogs don’t physically attack livestock, chasing them can cause pregnant cows and sheep to abort or lead to panicked stock getting tangled up in fences.

"Livestock worrying is a crime and the law allows farmers to shoot dogs that are worrying livestock and owners could be prosecuted. We ask anyone who sees livestock being chased by dogs to immediately contact the farmer or police.”

The NFU has issued advice to dog owners as part of its Love Your Countryside campaign.

For more information visit www.nfuonline.com/back-british-farming/love-your-countryside/latest-you-your-dog-and-the-countryside/