Plea after attacks on sheep (From Gazette Series)

Plea after attacks on sheep

A PREGNANT sheep has been mysteriously killed and another seriously mauled in a caged field in Uley.

The first attack - on Tuesday, January 10 - saw a sheep suffer serious injuries to its left leg in the Millennium Green. Luckily the pregnant ewe survived.

The second attack happened a week later on Tuesday, January 17 when another pregnant ewe was found in a large field near the green - this time the animal was dead.

The attacks have raised particular concern within the farming community because the green was surrounded by an electric fence.

Ray Barnfield, secretary for the Millennium Green Trust, said he saw the murdered sheep and raised the alarm with local police.

He said: "The one I saw had been mauled. It was on its front and it was dead.

"I reported it to the police and mentioned to them the other attack the week before. There have also been a couple of cases in North Nibley and a couple in Stroud."

When asked, Mr Barnfield said he did not know what had carried out such an attack but thought it was likely to be a dog.

He said: "I'm not really sure what could have done these attacks. The Millennium Green is surrounded by an electric fence.

"I can't say I've seen any dogs really interested in the sheep either. They've all been under control. The thing is dogs will touch the fence once or twice and then remember not to do it again.

"My assumption would be that a dog did it or some sort of animal capable of jumping fences."

The Millenium Green is a small pen of only nine acres used by local farmers for small, controlled grazing.

Police in Dursley are currently investigating the incidents in Uley and would like to hear from anyone with any information they may think important. The police would also like to remind dog walkers to be mindful of their animals.

Sgt Neil Gibbs, from Dursley police station, said: "We would remind people to keep their dogs under control particularly when out walking with them. It is an offence not to keep an animal under control." s Anyone with any information should contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 76 for January 18 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.