AROUND 12 ewes and lambs at a farm in Coombe near Wotton-under-Edge were killed by a German shepherd over the weekend. 

The attack on the sheep took place at around 2am on Saturday morning and culminated with the dog being destroyed. 

Mr Spencer, of Court Orchard, in an email to the Gazette on Saturday regarding the incident, urged the paper to run a warning to dog owners.

"I and many other walkers have this morning witnessed carnage caused by an out of control dog in Coombe, Wotton-under-Edge," he said. 

"A German shepherd got loose at approximately 2am this morning and ripped out the throats of about 12 ewes and lambs, before it was shot and destroyed by the farmer.

"This is a very popular walk as it is on the Cotswold Way - and not a nice sight seeing dead animals in the stream."

In light of the incident, Gloucestershire Police are urging dog owners to keep their pets on a lead around livestock.

The dog’s owner has been traced and an agreement between the livestock owner and dog owner is being arranged in regards to compensation and damages.

In a statement, police advise dog walkers to "always keep their dogs on a lead when crossing farm land, stay on the designated footpath or right of way and ensure that all gates are properly secured after they have been used".

Farmers are entitled to shoot dogs under the Animals Act 1971 in order to protect their livestock from being killed.