19 sheep killed and a dog shot dead following two attacks in Cheshire
1st November 2024
19 sheep from a Cheshire farm were killed and others have been injured following two livestock worrying incidents. One of the dogs involved in the attack was killed by a farmer.
Cheshire Police confirmed the incident that saw a dozen animals being killed happened between Thursday evening, 24th October, and Friday morning, 25th October, on farmland on the outskirts of Congleton.
More sheep died from their injuries or were killed in a separate attack that took place on Monday, 28th October.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said that most of the sheep suffered significant bite marks to their throats, with two drowning in the canal.
“Clearly the unnecessary pain and suffering that the sheep have been subjected to, was very significant and completely unacceptable.”
“In addition to the suffering caused to the sheep, once again members of our hard-working farming community have been left facing large unnecessary bills through absolutely no fault of their own,” they added.
Farmer left with no choice
Officers also confirmed that a farmer killed one of the two dogs involved in the attack with a shotgun. The second dog has run off.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “We assess that the actions of the farmer were proportionate, necessary and legal.
“No farmer wants to have to shoot a dog, but sadly they have been left with absolutely no choice on this occasion.”
Officers also confirmed that they deployed a drone to search for the second dog, which was described as a ginger cross-breed about the size of a Labrador, before it returned home.
The owner of the dogs had come forward and was set to be interviewed shortly, Cheshire Police added.
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