THE owners of a dog which became out of control and savaged a sheep in a vicious attack have been branded 'irresponsible' and 'selfish'.

The attack left the ewe with deep wounds on its side – despite repeated warnings in recent weeks for dog owners to keep their pets on a lead.

Peter and Gill Mayo run Kennon Farm in Burton Bradstock where the attack happened.

They heard an unusual noise and, along with daughter Laura, made their way to their field off Annings Lane. They saw a dog chasing their livestock, but by the time they reached it both the owner and dog had left.

Laura said: "We left the sheep to settle down before going to check on them and then we saw one of them had been attacked. It was horrible - the dog had bitten a hole in her side. For this to happen anywhere is bad enough, but this was private property and they simply should not have been there. Even now, the sheep are still really stressed and this is our livelihood.

"All dogs should be kept on a lead and anyone who doesn't keep them on a lead is irresponsible."

Luckily, the ewe survived the attack and was treated by a vet.

"Had this been a lamb, it would have been killed," said Laura. "Everyone thinks they have a good dog that will never do anything like this but it keeps happening."

Dog attacks on livestock cost farmers more than £1m last year, according to NFU Mutual, with south west farmers the worst hit.

Dorset Police received 40 reports of sheep worrying in 2018. Eleven owners were identified and dealt with.