A FARMER fears two dogs which savaged six of his sheep may strike again, now they have the taste for flesh.

Dixon Thomas was speaking in the aftermath of the "carnage" in which two of his Herdwick ewes and three lambs were slaughtered.

Two rampaging dogs struck in a field at Maiden Law Farm, between Lanchester and Stanley, County Durham, last Friday (AUG 31).

Less than a fortnight ago, another ewe was killed in a similar attack by what he believes to have been the same dogs.

Ten other sheep and lambs in the flock were badly injured in the latest incident.

Several of the injured animals may have to be put down due to the extent of their wounds.

Following last Friday's attack Mr Thomas managed to follow the dogs, a greyhound/lurcher and a terrier, to their home in nearby Annfield Plain, and he informed police.

The dogs were taken by officers to a vets, where the contents of their stomachs were examined to reveal sheep fleece and flesh.

Mr Thomas said he was annoyed to learn that they were later returned to the owner while police inquiries continue, as he fears they could cause further damage.

He was alerted to the latest incident when a neighbour rang him shortly after 6am on Friday.

Mr Thomas said: "He told me these dogs were worrying my sheep. By the time I got across the dogs had gone, but it was total carnage.

"While I was there the dogs approached again and so I followed them.

"With great difficulty I managed to keep up with them through the fields and across the village.

"The police knocked the owner up and took the dogs to the vet.

"What really annoyed me, though, was after they were examined at the vets, they were returned to the owner.

"I thought they would have, at least, been impounded.

"There are lots of fields round here, but there are also schools and children's play areas. Who knows what they might do next?"

Duty Sergeant Phil Atess (CORRECT), of Stanley Police Office, said: "There's a full and, ongoing, thorough investigation into the incident and the injured party will be up-dated with the progress as the investigation progresses."

Sgt Atess added that specific legislation differentiates between animal on animal attacks, and animal attacks on humans.

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