A WARNING has been issued to people enjoying Dartmoor after five animals were killed just last week.

Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society was called out to an incident on Saturday where two sheep were severely savaged by a dog on Plasterdown. The attack was said to be so horrific that one died from its injuries and the other had to be put down.

Dartmoor Livestock Protection officer Karla McKechnie said: ‘The two sheep belonging to two different farmers were so severely savaged. They had obviously been chased for some distance because one was covered up to its neck in mud. They had big wounds so we believe it must have been quite a big dog. The sheep were found 200 yards apart so we think it might have been the same dog that killed both.

‘We want to remind people that dogs should be kept on leads or under close control. What’s happened to people when something like this happens and they just walk away from it? Where’s the humanity? The attacks were so bad the dog must have been covered in blood, why wouldn’t you tell someone?’

Karla said people may be afraid that their dog would be taken away if they reported that it attacked an animal but she said that the farmers just want to know if something like this happens so they can help their animals.

The society wants to hear from anyone who may have seen the attacks or has any information about the incident.

Drivers are also coming under fire from the society after three ponies, including a foal, were killed in road traffic related incidents last week on the same stretch of road.

The ponies were killed after being hit by vehicles on the B3212 Yelverton to Princetown road last week. One foal was found dead on the side of the road and two ponies had to be put down as one had a broken leg and one suffered a broken back.

Karla said: ‘On Dartmoor 95 animals have been killed already this year in road traffic related incidents and we’re not even in winter yet where the visibility’s worse.

‘We’re asking people to please drive with more care on the roads. If you see an animal injured or in distress, call me so I can try to help.’

The Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society was formed after the severe winter of 1962-63 to help ponies, sheep and cattle in distress and to campaign to raise standards of animal care. The society, jointly with the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council, funds the work of livestock protection officer Karla McKechnie, who is on emergency call-out to deal with incidents of sheep worrying, dog attacks, casualties from road traffic accidents and livestock distress on Dartmoor.

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.