TWO farmers have spoken of their concerns after their sheep have suffered from a flurry of dog attacks.

Alex Harrild, whose family runs Churchstile Farm in Nether Wasdale were disappointed to find one of their Herdwick sheep had been attacked by a dog, leaving it with serious facial injuries.

Alex says it is the fourth or fifth time in the last year his family’s sheep have been victims of dog attacks, with the latest coming on October 8.

“Our message to dog walkers is they are more than welcome to around here, as these are ancient routes,” he explained.

“Farmers accept the right of ways.

"People need to understand that they must make sure their dog is on a lead if there is livestock in the field.

“You might think your dog is lovely but if they aren’t used to being around livestock, they don’t know what to do and they get excited.

“They cause stress for the animals.

"If the dog was in a field of cattle and it got between the calf and the cow, the cow would charge the person.”

Alex explained that antibiotics had been given to the injured sheep but they fear it will not make it.

Losing four or five sheep can cost a farmer tens of thousands of pounds in lost earnings over the sheep's lifetime.

Sian Jordan, 28, farms at Ruckcroft, Armathwaite.

She has more than 100 Dutch Spotted sheep and about 550 commercial flock of Texel, Suffolk crosses and Mule sheep.

Four of her sheep have been badly injured, one has a broken leg, they are covered in bites with chunks of wool missing.

One sheep has been killed.

It all started ten days and four attacks have taken place on separate days.

She is appealing for people to keep eyes open.

The attacks took place in the field up the back lonning of Ruckcroft Village.

She said any dogs seen in the fields attacking sheep will be destroyed.

She also confirmed that another neighbouring farmer had had to put down a sheep that had been savaged by a dog around the same time.

“At first we didn’t know what was going on.

"Was it a freak accident, but another attack showed bite marks and chunks of wool missing.

“I dread going down to the fields to do my shepherding in case of what I find.”

“It’s hard enough coping with farming during Covid, without this.”

“I can only think that the dog is a local one to the dale.”

She put something out on Facebook and has had a huge response from fa

Sian has received the backing of the local community, who have pledged to keep their eyes open for any further attacks.