Sheep Dead After 'Horrific' Dog Attack In Lewes

Wednesday, 23 December 2020 08:11

By Charlotte Baker @Ch4rtweets

A dog attack in Lewes has left one sheep dead and two others injured.

The incident is thought to have occurred at Landport Bottom Nature Reserve on December 3, or early the following morning.

Lewes District Council has urged witnesses to contact police.

The dead sheep had its throat ripped out, with bite marks confirming it was a dog attack.

Signage in the area lets people know that sheep are grazing and dogs should be kept on leads.

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The site's shepherd, Charlotte Streeter, said:

"I am so upset by the amount of sheep worrying and attacks we have had this year.

"If dog owners could just read the signage provided and keep dogs on leads around the livestock as it is totally gutting seeing an animal you have cared for since it was born be brutally attacked and killed."

This year has seen the most dog attacks at the council-owned Landport Bottom site since the signs were introduced 12 years ago.

ouncillor Julie Carr, Cabinet member for Recycling, Waste and Open Spaces, said:

"This was a horrific attack and dog owners must stop this happening.

"Due to Covid-19 restrictions, many more people have been exploring their local countryside which is a great thing but has brought problems too. Dogs have sometimes been allowed to roam free in areas where they should be kept on a lead, with owners not necessarily realising the risk of harm to farm animals.

"It is important to realise that even well-behaved dogs may need to be kept on a lead for all or part of walks in the countryside to keep livestock and wildlife safe.

"Sheep are natural prey to dogs, who will chase them. Some of the sheep at Landport Bottom and in other parts of the Downs are pregnant at this time of year and the stress of being chased can cause them to abort their lambs.

"Allowing a dog to chase a sheep, never mind kill it, is illegal. If anyone sees this happening anywhere in our countryside they should report it to the police."

Councillor Matthew Bird, Cabinet member for Sustainability, said:

"As a local resident I know how much Landport Bottom is valued and how saddened residents are at this wholly preventable attack.

"Dog owners should obey signs at all times to prevent any more unnecessary sheep deaths. It is really important that Landport Bottom is grazed because the sheep are restoring the area to flower-rich chalk grassland, making this a rare habitat not only for the UK, but also globally."