KILLER dogs are believed to be on the rampage around Evesham after sheep were found ripped to pieces.

Motorists jammed police lines when they reported scores of sheep running amok on the A46 at the edge of town on Monday night.

The sheep belonged to a farmer who later found electric wires around his field broken, lambs missing and one pregnant ewe torn to pieces.

Just a week before the same farmer reported three of his sheep dead in his field and one so badly gored it had to be put down.

James Brown, who keeps a flock of about 100 sheep at Oxstalls Farm in Common Road, said: "It was a terrible sight. The dead sheep had been ripped to pieces and partly eaten and there was wool everywhere.

"I am at my wits' end. This must be the work of a pack of Alsatian type dogs - foxes don't do this, they are too small. The owners must have known that their dogs were involved because the animals would have come home covered in blood."

PC Richard Nunn said: "It was a very dangerous situation on the A46 on Monday night. It had been snowing and the roads were treacherous.

"This could have caused a major accident. We think rogue dogs had attacked the sheep and frightened them out of their field."

He said he was worried that now family pets may have a taste for blood and would strike again. PC Nunn said: "Any farmer spotting dogs worrying sheep is entitled to shoot them."

Evesham beat manager, Tom Iddon said: "Owners have a responsibility to control their dogs, and keep them on leads anywhere near livestock. Anyone with information about either of the incidents is urged to contact us as soon as possible."

Mr Brown, 52, who lives near Tewkesbury, says the value of stock lost so far amounts to several hundred pounds.

Wychavon District Council's dog warden Pip Singleton said: "I am shocked to hear the news. We have received no complaints about dogs on the loose. As there have been no sightings, we do not know for sure that this is the work of German shepherds, but I would urge anyone who spots dogs without their owners, to report it to us immediately." She can be contacted at Wychavon's council offices on 01386 565000.

Anyone with information about sheep worrying can contact the police on 08457444888.