*WARNING - GRAPHIC IMAGES*
A GRAZIER on the Malvern Hills has spoken of the terror and suffering experienced by a sheep killed on the Malvern Hills earlier this week.
On September 20, a sheep was chased by a dog on the hills near St Ann's Well. It was later found dead with severe bite wounds on its neck and face.
This is the third sheep worrying incident in under a week after a sheep was found with bite wounds on its face on September 16 and a sheep was chased out of the compartment by a dog on September 19.
John Chance, Malvern Hills Grazier, said: "To see sheep killed in such an attack is extremely distressing.
"The sheep will have been afraid and suffered in its last moments as it bled to death.
"Even if sheep aren’t killed, the act of chasing by dogs causes severe distress to the animals which can result in injury or other complications."
Livestock worrying, which includes chasing, is a criminal offence and the details of this incident have been reported to the police.
Witnesses to livestock worrying incidents are encouraged to call the Trust on 01684 892002 to ensure veterinary treatment can be administered swiftly and also to call police on the 101 non-emergency number or report the offence online.
Beck Baker, community and conservation officer, said "We are extremely saddened to report that a dog has killed a sheep on the Malvern Hills.
"The dog was off the lead near a livestock compartment and this incident could have been stopped if the dog was simply kept on a lead.
"These incidents can be stopped by people putting their dogs on a lead at all times near livestock.
"We’d like to remind dog walkers that any dog, big or small, docile or aggressive, has the potential to chase or kill livestock so all dogs should be kept on a lead near grazing cattle and sheep."
To help dog owners plan their walks and know when to put their pet on a lead, Stockwatch is published every week with the locations of the grazing compartments on the Malvern Hills and Commons.
This information can be found on the trust's website, in the Malvern Gazette and on social media.
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