WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES: Fresh appeal after lambs and sheep killed in horror attack

A farmer has renewed her appeal for information following a horrific dog attack which left £1,000 worth of livestock, including two baby lambs, dead.

Mrs Lindsey Blake and her husband James made the sickening discovery at their home, Lower Red Lees Farm, Burnley, last Thursday evening.

The tiny lambs, along with six sheep and three geese, were found dead in what Lindsey described as a scene of “carnage.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Now, just over a week later, the couple are no nearer to finding the dog responsible or its owner.

Lindsey said: “Our farm is close to Towneley Park where there are always lots of people walking around.

“We are hoping that someone may have heard something as the sheep were all making a real racket when we made the discovery.”

The couple found the slaughtered animals sometime between 12-30pm and the early evening on fields close to Towneley’s golf course.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Just hours earlier several sheep were mauled at another farm in Bacup Road, Cliviger, which is close to the Blake’s farm. None were killed in this incident and it is believed the farmer caught the dog responsible and it was later destroyed.

The couple reported the attack to the police who put out graphic images of the dead animals on social media in a bid to track down the dog responsible.

Distinctive trainer imprints were also found in the field indicating the owner of the animal or animals responsible was chasing them.

Lindsey added: “We now believe that two dogs may have been responsible for the attacks as the sheep had their faces and back ends ripped off as though two dogs were playing tug-of-war with them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I contacted the rural police division only to be told there was not a problem with sheep worrying in East Lancashire but that is simply because people are not reporting these incidents.

“They are happening but it is so difficult to track down those responsible so people just don’t bothering reporting the attacks.”

Police believe a mastiff type dog with large jaws is responsible for the attacks.

A vet managed to save one of the animals in the attack, a hog lamb which is a year old. It is now being nursed back to health by the Blakes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Burnley Police has renewed its appeal for information regarding the attack and it has also issued a warning for all dog owners to keep their pets under control.

Anyone with information is asked to ring the police on 101.