A FURIOUS farmer trying to track down a dog who savaged and killed at least 11 sheep today warned: "He's got the taste for blood".

Arthur Nutter, who lives in Fence but farms out of nearby Spenbrook, Newchurch-in-Pendle, recovered the bodies of four dead sheep from land off Cuckstool Lane, Brierfield, after the attack on Monday night.

A further sheep had to be put down by vet Ron Thomson, of Stanley House Veterinary Surgery, Colne, because of its injuries and another seven sheep belonging to another farmer that were on neighbouring land were also killed.

Mr Nutter said: "Someone said they had seen a black and white Staffordshire Bull Terrier type dog running around in the field chasing the sheep."

"We've been told they think it lives at one of the houses off Clitheroe Road, but it's finding the dog and proving that it did it that's difficult. "The last thing we want is for this to happen again, but it could easily do. The dog's got a taste for blood now and if it's let loose again who knows what will happen.

"We can't keep an eye on all the sheep in all the fields, especially overnight."

Many of the pedigree Texel sheep were ewes who were coming into the lambing season. Mr Nutter said they were worth around £60 or more each.

Asked what people should do if they see a dog attacking sheep he said: "Shoot it".

He added: "People don't carry guns, I know, but they could phone the police. If you shout at a dog it generally runs off."

Yesterday Mr Nutter and the vet searched the fields trying to find another six sheep that were missing without success.

Mr Thomson said: "I've treated four sheep with deep bites to the face, neck and back end."

Inspector David Shepherd, of Nelson Police, said: "The attack was reported to us and the local officer will be looking into it."

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