Dog walkers are being urged to keep their pets on leads after a goat died in a horrific attack which saw both of its ears torn off.

Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) is calling on owners to act responsibly after the animal was left visibly traumatised at Bigbury Camp Nature Reserve in Chartham Hatch, near Canterbury.

Warning: graphic images below

The goat was a part of a wilder grazing programme at the reserve and - despite immediate care - died as a result of the attack.

Ranger Maddie Taylor, who discovered the animal during a routine check on Saturday, March 29, pleaded with others to acknowledge the harm dogs off their lead can cause.

“I arrived to find one of the goats isolated, badly injured, very stressed, unwilling to get up. It very much looks like a dog attack,” she said.

“This is what happens when people don’t appreciate that their dog being off lead can cause serious harm.

“It’s very sad for us to lose an animal due to negligence.”

KWT added signs at all reserve entrance points instruct visitors to keep their dogs on leads, especially where livestock is present.

Ms Taylor added: “This goat was fine on the day before the attack.

“The fact it was found so severely injured means this was recent and entirely avoidable.

“We’re calling on all visitors to be responsible. Keep dogs on a lead, respect wildlife, and help us protect these important conservation animals.”

In a statement, KWT said incidents of dogs harassing or attacking grazing animals continue to be reported across the county.

It added: “We are now working closely with its livestock team to assess and reinforce current measures to protect its animals.

“The public is reminded that even well-behaved dogs can cause significant distress, injury, or death to livestock simply by approaching or chasing them.”

Anyone who witnesses dogs off-lead near livestock or any suspicious activity is encouraged to report it immediately.