THREE sheep were killed and 35 injured following a dog attack in a village in the south of the county.

The flock of 120 sheep in Much Dewchurch were attacked sometime between 4pm on Thursday, October 5 and 11am the following morning.

The animals are owned by the Price family who farm at Hills Farm in Llanwarne including Ellis Price, daughter Rosey Price, and grandchildren, Thomas and Charlotte.

Ms Price said: "It is horrible. There was lots of blood. It is quite traumatic to find them.

"One of the sheep which was injured was my daughter's - one of her pedigrees. She was devastated - she is only 11.

"Luckily that one wasn't put down but it's still not nice."

Her daughter, Charlotte, is now keeping a close eye on her pedigree Cheviot sheep as they recover at the farm in Llanwarne.

Ms Price said: "There was one dead sheep when my dad got to the field. Others had been attacked. Two had to be put down by the vet.

"There are 35 more who have got bite wounds to the throat and neck."

All of the injured sheep have been taken away from the flock to the family's farm.

The farmers, who farm sheep and beef cattle, have experienced another dog attack earlier in the year in June. They lost one ewe, but Ms Price said it was not on this scale.

She added: "There are no footpaths through the field and the gate is chained. No-one saw anything."

They suspect either a dog escaped from their home or a dog was being walked when the attack happened.

But either way, Ms Price said somebody's dog must have gone home covered in blood.

She added: "They were ewes due to go the ram shortly. They should have gone on Saturday.

"We will send the ones who haven't been attacked but the vet said we shouldn't send the injured ones as they have got to recover.

"It might mean they don't go to the tup at all, which could have effects. We won't have any lambs from them and we can't sell them."

The National Sheep Association said sheep are valuable assets and any harm to them harms a farmer’s livelihood.

It is an offence to allow a dog to worry sheep. Worrying includes attacking or chasing sheep and, in some circumstances, farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they are endangering their sheep.

Ms Price added: "Please don't let you dogs out unsupervised. If they are near animals, put them on a lead."

The attack has been reported to the police. If you have any information which could help police with their investigation call 101.