Dog walkers urged to keep pets on leads as lambs killed in Badby

Dog owners are being reminded to keep their pets on a lead and under control when walking near livestock to prevent animals being injured or killed.

Officers from the Force’s Rural Crime Team have issued the reminder following the report of the death of 20 lambs in a field, off the A361 in the village of Badby, near Daventry.

The lambs were discovered in the field by a local farmer at 10am on Tuesday, July 26, however it is believed the sustained attack took place sometime after 4pm of Sunday, July 24.

Five of the lambs were found with injuries to their legs and necks, consistent with being bitten by a dog, whilst a further 15 are believed to have died through shock or being crushed in the stampede as the animals were chased in the field.

PC Dom Preece of the Rural Crime Team, who is investigating this incident, is reminding owners that they have a responsibility to keep their pets under control, and that dogs chasing livestock can legally be shot dead by farmers.

He said: “Whether farmer or pet owner, the death of an animal is devastating, but all of this is completely avoidable if people walking dogs keep them on a lead and under control around farm animals.