1st February 2012

BRIDPORT: Police seek information after another dog attack

ANOTHER animal has been killed by a dog in Bridport.

It is believed a domesticated dog is responsible for the frenzied attack which left a sheep dead and another requiring urgent surgery.

The attack, which involved a heavily pregnant ewe, took place at Broomhills Farm at West Bay Fields around 8:30am on Wednesday, January 25th.

A woman was seen and overheard trying to call a dog back in the vicinity of the sheep at the time of the incident, said Bridport’s PC Scott McGregor.

Upset farmer David Legg from Broomhills Farm is urging the owner of the dog to come forward.

He said: “I am upset and want the person to come forward whose dog has done this. One sheep has died and the other sheep has had to have surgery at the vets.

“I want people to know I or other farmers can take steps to protect their livestock, that is the law and people should know that.”

The latest attack comes just months after two domestic dogs went wild during a two-day killing spree in the Bridport and West Bay area.

The two dogs were caught and destroyed after they killed a number of sheep and an alpaca last October.

PC McGregor said he was dismayed at the latest attack.

He said: “It is with a feeling of dismay that I am reporting again on a similar type of incident, to that which occurred in October 2011 involving livestock death.”

He added: “It does still appears that under some circumstances dog owners still see their dog just running around or among livestock as innocent.

“Dog owners may be oblivious that their family pet is worrying livestock out of their sight.

“Your dog may normally be gentle and calm, but put it among livestock and its natural instinct will become all too apparent, as shown in the recent incident.”

PC McGregor is now urging dog owners to be responsible by always using a lead around livestock or finding somewhere away from livestock to walk their dog.

He said: “Never assume your dog is not a threat. Otherwise you may be held accountable and your dog will pay the ultimate price.”

Anyone with information on the attack should call Bridport police station on the non-emergency number 101.