EIGHT sheep have been savaged in two horrific attacks at a Lindford farm.

The first incident happened last Friday night when a pregnant sheep grazing in fields at Highland Farm was attacked. Its injuries included the loss of both eyes.

Owner George Watt discovered the sheep the next morning and has been nursing her since. She gave birth on Wednesday morning.

In the second attack, which took place on Saturday night, four sheep drowned in the river, two others were dead with severe head injuries and another, which had had its eyes removed, had to be put down.

Mr Watt said this was the first time in more than 40 years of farming that his sheep had been attacked in this way.

ÒThe horror of Sunday morning really was they looked as though they had been shot," he said.

ÒBut when they were taken away for post mortem it revealed that only the heads had been savaged and no bullets were found. The vet for Highland Farm, Arthur Morley, was horrified.

ÒAlthough we are putting it down to a pack of large dogs at the moment there are suspicious circumstances in as much as there was no wool found on the site. We have been advised by the police to keep an open mind until further investigations have been made.Ó

He added: ÒWhatever it is, it is a savage attack on innocent animals, most of them from last yearÕs stock, including our prize ram, who was drowned."

Pc James Richardson, of Whitehill police, told The Herald that investigations are ongoing.

ÒThe vet turned up because we thought that a blunt instrument could have been used,Ó he said.

ÒThe post mortem was carried out on Monday on all the sheep. Four were drowned and it was felt that it was more likely to be dogs and then yesterday (Tuesday) information came to us that in fact it could have been foul play.

ÒInvestigations are continuing. So far all we have got is rumour really and we are really very keen to hear from anyone with information.Ó

In particular he would like to hear about people who have been seen with blood on their clothing on Saturday night or Sunday.

Mr Watt warned: ÒThere are quite a lot of sheep in Lindford and Broxhead and we will warn everybody with dogs of the danger of their pets being shot.

ÒThe last thing on earth that we want to do is to shoot anyoneÕs pet, but if they are found among the sheep, we have no choice. We are covered by law, namely the Animal Act 1971.Ó

Anyone with any information about the incidents should contact Pc Richardson at Whitehill police on 0845 045 45 45.