A SAVAGE attack on a sheep was witnessed by teachers at an adventure centre on Dartmoor last Saturday (September 30).

Two husky type dogs were seen to play ‘tug of war’ with a sheep during what was described as an ‘horrific attack’ by one teacher at Dewerstone Cottage, Goodameavy, at around 4.35pm.

The two teachers had come to the area to take their students, aged about 16 to 17, on a youth expedition.

It was only when the teachers needed to move a mini bus at the site that they saw the incident unfold in front of them.

‘Luckily, the pupils were behind the centre setting up their tents, so I used the emergency phone to call them and told them to stay in their tents and to not come out until I told them to,’ said one of the teachers.

‘The sheep at this point was lifting up its head but the dogs were very quiet, they didn’t make a noise.

‘The students did not witness the attack — I called the police and then kept shouting at the dogs, I even threw things at them but they did not budge, by this point they were tearing the belly open and the sheep’s neck and they were covered in blood — it was an horrific attack.’

Police said that the dog owners appeared after about five minutes, with a further two husky type dogs, and called the dogs away, but did not apologise or leave their details with the teachers.

One of the teachers described the two dog owners as men, due to their physicality, and were in full waterproof gear.

‘When I called to the owners and said “there is a dead sheep here” to make them aware of what their dogs had done they looked at me and then walked away fast, with their huskies, which were white and pale grey and large.

‘I knew we wouldn’t be able to save the sheep in terms of what we saw. It was the lack of care of the dog owners that would allow this to happen which was awful.

‘It’s a criminal act and a horrific criminal act to happen on the door step.’

A police spokesperson said: ‘This was a savage attack from which the sheep died.

‘If anyone knows of any owners of four husky dogs that would walk them near to Dewerstone, please can they contact the police.’

Dartmoor Livestock Protection officer Karla McKechnie who spoke with one of the teachers from the attack said she was concerned for her pupils as the dogs were in ‘full attack’ mode.

‘The teacher was with her pupils and she gave them strict instructions to stay within their tents until they were told it was safe. She said the incident was horrendous and that the dogs were playing tug of war with the sheep and that it then took 20 minutes for the sheep to die.

‘People should know better — a husky is a hunting dog. This is not acceptable especially that they left the scene knowing what they had done.

‘I urge people with the husky dogs to come forward — this is cruelty to animals at its worse.’

To report any information on this incident contact PC 5060 Steve Hall at Tavistock quoting crime CR/84720/17.

Anyone who sees an animal injured or in distress, being worried or attacked by a dog or in need of help of any kind can contact Karla on 07873 587561.