Dozens of pregnant sheep ‘horrifically mauled’ by dogs at Horsted Keynes farm

Police were alerted to the incident on Sunday (January 13), at Hillsdown Farm, Birch Grove, Horsted Keynes.

Officers said it is the second such incident in the area in recent weeks – and are urging anyone who knows the dogs to come forward.

Gala Bailey-Barker, the shepherd at the farm, said: “On the morning of Sunday, January 13, a flock of 32 of our pregnant ewes were attacked by two dogs.

“All of them suffered serious injuries but 15 were so horrifically mauled we had to put them down.

“We are doubtful that many of the remaining ewes will have retained their lambs.”

Gala said this was the second attack on sheep in the area in the past month. “Exactly a month ago another flock of sheep, less than a mile from Hillsdown Farm, were attacked,” she said.

“The description of the dogs in our attack on Sunday, match that of the dogs seen in December.

“In both cases two dogs were involved. One large, black, tan and white, possibly a Fox Hound/Alsatian cross and the other smaller and darker in colour, mostly brown.

“The dogs were spotted at 9.15am on Sunday but had been attacking sheep in the field for quite some time. They ran off through the lower end of the field heading in the direction of Birch Grove or the A275.

“As a result of this attack, not only have we lost 15 ewes but also their unborn lambs.