A STRONG warning was this week issued to dog owners in West Devon, after a sheep was found horribly savaged on Dartmoor.
Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society says dogs must be kept under proper control, in order to avoid horrifying incidents like last week?s attack ? one of the worst cases of sheep suffering seen in the area by the DLPS in recent years.
Society spokesman Marion Saunders said: ?The ewe was found near Merrivale with a mutilated face, during a slow and agonising death after being attacked by dogs.
?The sheep was examined by a vet from the Westmoor practice in Tavistock, who said the sheep?s lips and gums had been torn away from its face.
?It?s bone was exposed, it had suffered for at least 36 hours and was unable to eat or drink, the wound crawling with maggots.?
Marion said it was fortunate that a vigilant walker saw the sheep and phoned the DLPS, which immediately contacted the owner, Peter Tavy farmer Edward Bellamy, who put the animal out of its misery.
Marion said: ?This appalling suffering demonstrates that it is essential for everyone on the moor to keep their dogs under close control at all times.?
She said several similar instances of sheep worrying had been reported in the Two Bridges area in recent weeks.
?Dogs caught in the act of attacking sheep may well be shot,? she warned.
PC Graham Callendar of Tavistock Police said officers had no information to help them in this case and appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident to call Tavistock Police Station on 08452 777444, quoting log 354 of September 2.