A farmer in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, has lost one sheep and had another 14 injured following a dog attack over the weekend.

The affected farmer, PJ O’Dea, told the Wicklow News: “Normally the dogs prey during the early hours of the morning, but this one was spotted stalking deer on my neighbour’s land at about 1pm in the afternoon.

“My neighbour described it as a huge black beast that is definitely trained for hunting, based on the brutal damage it has done to my animals.”

The dead sheep was described as “having its neck ripped from head to legs”, and, according to the farmer, at least three of the 14 injured would not survive their injuries.

This is the fourth such attack to occur in the area, following one in late June and two attacks in quick succession in February.

Previous statistics collated by the IFA indicate that dog attacks on sheep may be in the order of 300 to 400 attacks per annum, with 3,000 to 4,000 sheep injured and/or killed.

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'The lambs were just shredded' – savage dog attack in Cavan