Pregnant sheep suffers horrific injuries during dog attack

The sheep was still able to give birth despite the horrific injuries

The injuries the pregnant mother suffered had hard-working farmer Darren Hough believing she could die before giving birth at his 127-acre farm on Wharmton, overlooking Saddleworth villages.

The attack was the latest in a series of bitter blows he had suffered in the lead up  to the lambing season when vulnerable in-lamb ewes are gathered to give birth.

Said Darren: “This latest attack was really heart-breaking. I lost some sheep to dog attacks earlier and was faced with even more sheep worrying when I saw the dreadful state of the ewe.”

And he appealed to locals saying: “Someone knows something about this. Either you were there and witnessed this happen or you are one of the ones that let your dog’s take themselves out for a walk. This has to stop.”

Vets rushed to his farm and after patiently cleaning and stitching the ewes injuries and treated her with antibiotics, she slowly recovered in time to give birth.

Thanking vets Wright and Morton for coming quickly and GMP for attending, Darren added a personal message to kind hearted folk who had contacted him on social media on learning of the attack.

“The lamb was born a little early but both doing well, thanks to everyone for encouraging messages and spreading the word,” he said.

A spokesperson for The National Sheep Association said: “We are always saddened and frustrated to hear about dog attacks on sheep.

“While farmers respect the publics want to enjoy the countryside, the public must also respect and remember the countryside is home to countless wildlife and livestock.

“Dogs have an instinct to chase anything that runs from it, and sheep have the instinct to run from anything they deem threatening.

“A loose dog is just that, and all dogs have the potential to turn on livestock in that situation,” she declared.

“It is vital for members of the public to not just walk their dog on a lead when out in the countryside, but to always know where their dog is as many dog attacks happen when dogs escape from gardens.

“The attacks can cause serious injury, death, and even abortion in pregnant sheep, and the emotional and financial toll for a farmer is high.”

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