A DEVASTATED farmer has tweeted horrific pictures of a pregnant ewe who had her lower jaw chewed off by a dog.
Owner Valerie Gall was “raging” to find her sheep in agony after an attack by a dog which had been let off the lead.
The attack, which happened at the Bridge of Cally in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, on Saturday, tore the animal’s face so badly it had to be put to sleep. It is understood that the lamb did not survive.
One of the dogs suspected of mauling the sheep reportedly had blood on its muzzle.
Ms Gall, who lives in the Bridge of Cally, took to Twitter to urge owners to keep dogs under control, particularly during the lambing season.
She wrote: “One of our pregnant ewes was attacked today. Please keep dogs on lead near livestock.
“Injury was too bad to treat. Ewe was put down. There was no flesh left on her lower jaw.
“Dogs were back with owners by the time manager had caught up with them. One had blood round mouth.
“The pack instinct to chase can have results like today, especially at this time of year as lambing time approaches. If just one (ewe) is saved from a similar fate then at least we have raised awareness.”
Horrified twitter users expressed their disgust at the incident.
Fiona Davies wrote: “That’s so horrible. Must have been trying to stand her ground poor girl.”
Carolyn Ramsamy (corr) said: “Disgusting the way people don’t care for their dogs. That poor ewe must have been in agony.”
Mags Owen added: “I cannot understand why owners let their dogs run wild, with this result. Terrible. Please think before you let run.”
Ms Gall later tweeted: “Unfortunately she was put to sleep as too much skin and flesh bitten off from lower jaw. Terrible day :(.”
Police said the incident had not been reported to them.
Over the same weekend, sheep worrying resulted in the deaths of seven sheep in Dumfries. Six other sheep were found with wounds and several others were in shock.
The attack comes just weeks after a pregnant cow was mauled on a farm near Pitlochry.
A Staffordshire bull terrier targeted Ian Harris’ heifer, leaving her with teeth marks on her head and throat.
The animal subsequently recovered and gave birth last week.
Mr Harris had given up keeping sheep after his flock was devastated by other dog attacks.
He has called for a clampdown on the rehoming of abandoned Staffordshire bull terriers to people who may not understand the dangers.
