GRAPHIC IMAGE WARNING: Sheep seriously injured after being chased by loose dog in Sheffield
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Alison Twigg, who runs a small holding in Rivelin Valley, was on her land off Hagg Lane on Wednesday when a loose dog jumped into her field and chased three of her sheep.
Two managed to escape into a neighbouring field but one was so terrified it ran into a gate, seriously damaging its face and horn.
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Hide AdIt became stuck and was left in a pool of blood, with a vet having to be called to remove the damaged horn.
Alison said the dog was running loose while its owner ran on the road next to her land.
She said if the dog had chased her pregnant ewes they could have died or lost the lambs they are carrying.
Alison rears rare Boreray sheep as a hobby to help preserve the breed.
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Hide Ad“This was not a vicious dog out to kill, it chased the sheep to be playful, but this is all it takes. Dogs do not have to attack sheep to cause serious injury or death – the shock of being chased can cause sheep to run into fences and walls, breaking their necks and leaving them seriously injured,” said Alison.
“During lambing time, lambs can get tangled inside the ewes if they are chased, so you lose both, which we have experienced before.
“My plea is for dog owners to be responsible and to keep their dogs on a lead.”