Search stepped up for rogue beast killing lambs in Kildress

Council said the dog killing sheep is like this foxhound type dog

The animal has killed around 20 lambs and a calf so far, and injured many more - but the search for the rogue beast is now being stepped up in a bid to prevent further carnage among local livestock.

The dog is also reported to have caused a number of sheep to miscarry, while other victims have had to be put down because of the severity of their injuries.

Mid-Ulster District Council is appealing for information that could help them identify the hound involved in the incidents.

Dog suspected of killing lambs and a calf

After weeks of attacks, they have released a likeness of the dog believed to be involved, and a local farmer believes he has a photo of the dog itself. (See above).

“Following a recent spate of serious sheep worrying in the Kildress area of Cookstown, Mid Ulster District Council’s Environmental Health service is appealing for information regarding a foxhound type dog, brown in colour, believed to be involved in the attacks,” said a council spokesperson.

“Large numbers of sheep have been killed or injured as a result of attacks on the Drum Road, Flo Road, and Tulnacross Road areas of Kildress.”

A local farmer who has lost livestock said: “It is still going on every night - in total we have lost an average of 17 or 18 lambs and a calf.”

If you have any information that could help to identify the dog involved, please contact Environmental Health on 03000 132 132 or www.midulstercouncil.org/Contact-Us.