Posted online: May 10th, 2010

A pack of ‘devil dogs’ are being blamed for killing ten lambs in a crazed weekend attack.
The new born lambs were savaged as they grazed in a field in the Temple Road/Glen Road district of Garvagh.
It is understood there was a total of 12 lambs in the field but by the time the killer K9’s had finished their frenzied attack only two were left alive.
The farmer who owned the lambs was last night too distressed to talk about the disturbing discovery.
However, officials at Coleraine Borough Council have promised to take swift action against dog owners who allow their animals to wander freely across farmland.
Senior Environmental Health Officer at the council, Catherine McNally, warned of the potential consequences for dodgy dog owners.
He said: “Legal proceedings can be taken against persons who do not exercise adequate control of dogs. If convicted of a sheep worrying incident, you may face a hefty fine in court. A magistrate may also order that a dog be destroyed. You may also be civilly liable for any loss of livestock to the farmer.
“Dogs should be kept secure in their own property, or on a lead or under control when out for a walk. Dog owners should be mindful that their dog doesn’t have to physically harm the sheep; sheep can run and get injured, get caught in a wire fence or end up in the ditch where they could drown. Also a farmer has the right to shoot a dog that he finds unlawfully on his land scaring or harming his animals.”