Dogs on loose slaughter flock (From Free Press Series)

Dogs on loose slaughter flock

TWENTY lambs were torn apart by two dogs in an orgy of destruction at a Pontypool farm.

Now the farmers are asking dog owners to ensure their pets are not allowed to roam free to stop the incident being repeated.

The incident happened at the 200-acre Twyn Gwyn Farm, Penygarn, on Wednesday.

The two dogs had walked unsupervised around two miles from their home at Brynwern, Pontypool, to the farm. There, they savaged the lambs which were penned into one field.

The destruction stopped when a neighbouring farmer shot one dog on the advice of police. The second was followed home by an animal warden and later destroyed.

The lambs were between two days and two weeks old and worth up to £600.

Tenant farmers Mike Evans and Sally Gardner said they were 'extremely upset' by the loss of the lambs - and the death of the dogs.

"The dogs bite the lambs and then they die of their injuries. It's not the dogs' fault, they are just following their instincts," said Mr Evans.

"It's the owners' fault for letting them loose. We certainly don't want to destroy dogs.

"We just want to bring it home to people that they should keep their dogs under control at all times. Don't let them out unsupervised. Any dog could do something like this," said Mr Evans.

"The police advised us to shoot the dogs," he added.

"We didn't want to but it was the only way to stop it."

The bodies of the lambs were taken away to be incinerated.

A spokesperson for Torfaen council said: "It's very important that dogs must be kept under control at all times and should be kept on a lead. Dog owners should be aware of the countryside code which says dogs should at no time be let off a lead near livestock, particularly during the lambing season."

Torfaen council offer a free dog-chipping service, which allows a dog warden to easily identify your pet if they escape.