A gruesome attack on a sheep at a National Trust beauty spot has led to another stern warning being given to dog owners.
The ewe had her throat ripped out and flesh removed to the bone, the chair of Bircher Common Grazier's committee Paul Faulkner said.
He said it was the fourth sheep to be attacked in the last six months on the north Herefordshire common, which is owned by the National Trust and offers great panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, stretching as far as the Welsh Mountains.
While the animal survived the viscous attack that happened between 5.30am and 6am on June 1, he said it had to be put down due to the severity of its injuries.
With the police making enquires, Mr Faulkner said the committee was most infuriated by dog owners not admitting what their pet has done.
"It will be obvious to the owner that their dog has killed a large animal yet they never try to ascertain what," he said after the attack at the top of Welshman's Lane.
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"No of us want to see a dog destroyed, but if the owners were to come forward, accept responsibility, pay compensation and take measures to ensure that their dog would not be given opportunity in the future to attack more livestock we would consider that to be the best outcome.
"As it stands there is a good chance more sheep will be killed and possibly the dog also if caught in the act without the owner on hand to remove it."
He also issued a warning to dog owners, telling them to keep their dogs under control on the common and anyone who spots sheep worrying should report it immediately to the police.
Earlier this year, the government introduced a new law to protect farm animals from dog attacks.
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The fine increased from £1,000 to an unlimited amount, and police now have powers to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe it has attacked or worried livestock and that there is a risk it could do so again.
A survey of farmers from the National Sheep Association found 87 per cent of sheep farmers experienced a dog attack on their flock in 2024, with many reporting multiple.
Meanwhile, recent National Farmers’ Union research found that the cost of livestock worrying has risen by 10 per cent in a year, reaching almost £2 million. The Midlands alone saw an estimated £438,000 worth of livestock harmed by dog attacks.
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