A SHEEP grazier is warning dog owners that he is prepared to shoot the next dog to launch an attack on his flock.

Tim White, who owns around 1,000 sheep, is fed up with having to put his animals down after they have been attacked by dogs let off their leads.

The 53-year-old’s bold threat comes after an attack on his flock at The Beeches in Sutton Veny, where around 300 of sheep are kept, on December 28.

Mr White, who lives in Maiden Bradley with his wife, Jules, and also breeds sheep in Pewsey and Market Lavington, said: “Last year I lost around £5,000 as a result of dog attacks.

“The dog may only catch one sheep but the damage goes far beyond that; the pregnant ewes become stressed after the attack which means their unborn babies have to be aborted.

“On top of that I have to call out a vet which adds to the expense, and of course it’s very sad for the poor sheep to get torn up. One attack can have really damaging consequences.

“Most dog walkers are quite good and will keep their dog on a lead, but you get the odd one who doesn’t care and lets them run around, not thinking about the consequences.”

The experienced grazier, who has been involved in breeding wool shedding sheep for more than 20 years, is now willing to deal with dogs ‘severely’.

“I am well within my right to shoot a dog if it poses a threat to my sheep and I will shoot them if I have to,” he added.

“Of course I would prefer not to but if the owner can’t keep his or her dog under control it’s the last resort. It’s no longer a surprise when someone calls me up to say that one of my sheep has been killed, but it shouldn’t be like that. People need to be more responsible.”

Phil Stocker, chief executive of National Sheep Association, said: “Sheep worrying by dogs is a serious animal welfare concern, which causes a great deal of emotional stress and financial cost to sheep farmers around the country every year.

“While we don’t want to discourage dog walkers from enjoying the countryside it’s imperative that dog owners are responsible and keep dogs on a lead around livestock.”