A FLINTSHIRE farmer has hit out at irresponsible dog owners after six of his lambs were slaughtered.

Rae Webster, 82, told the Leader a friend had called him on Thursday morning to say dogs had been spotted at his farm, Gwern-y-Marl in Northop.

When he arrived he found the savaged bodies of several of his flock scattered across the field.

He said: “I could see straight away what had happened. If not for the snow the field would be covered white from their wool.

“I walked down to the stream and found a few under water. We dragged them out but it was too late for most of them.

"There were no dogs around when I got here but if I see a dog on here it will be shot. People need to know this is what happens when they don’t keep an eye on their animals.”

Rae’s family has farmed the land for generations, and he said he had not seen anything as savage for many years.

He added: “It’s a difficult time for everybody but this is my livelihood. I’ve lost six lambs which were being kept for breeding next year. Two more will probably die from their injuries and the rest are all worried. It’s an absolute disgrace.

“I’ve told the police but they say there is nothing they can do. I suppose I’ll just have to try and keep going, but it’s hard. With the vet bills and everything else it could end up costing me almost £1,500.”

Rae said he wanted to see harsher punishments for people who let their dogs loose on farmland, after a similar attack days earlier left several sheep dead in Cymau.

“I am absolutely fuming at what has happened. These irresponsible people need to be held to account for what their animals have done.

“I’m within my rights to shoot a dog that comes on to my land.”

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “We received a call at 10am on Friday, concerning a dog worrying sheep at Gwern-y-Marl farm, which we are currently investigating.”