A farmer is warning dog owners to keep their pets under control after six of his sheep were killed in one night.

Some of the dead animals discovered at Danley Marshes Farm, off Power Station Road, Halfway, on Thursday morning had been mauled.

Owner David Mosdell says he has now lost more than 30 of his livestock since the start of April in a handful of separate incidents, including one in which 12 were killed in one night.

Warning: graphic images below

Most of the sheep and lambs have died after being chased into ditches where they later drowned.

Mr Mosdell said: “It’s happening either in the early hours of the morning or during the night.

“So far it’s cost us nearly £3,000 just as it is, not factoring in the breeding ones.

“Any dog I see now I’m going to have to shoot it.”

His wife Karen Mosdell said part of the problem is people allowing their dogs to run loose.

She said: “This is a lot of money to us. We are a small farm and we don’t need this.”

Police say they are aware of the incidents.

The sheep were occasionally used for Farm Active, a community interest company which provides school visits as well as offering children and adults with learning difficulties the chance to see animals.

It comes after police issued a reminder to owners to keep pets under control which was prompted by two dogs being shot dead at a farm in Eastchurch on Monday, May 18.

Speaking about the previous incident, PC Preston Frost said: “It is important people know what can happen if their dogs run loose and kill or injure livestock.

“Sheep represent a farmer’s income and are often worth a substantial sum. If attacked, the veterinary bills farmers face can leave them substantially out of pocket.”