A dog owner whose puppy attacked a flock of sheep, killing four lambs, has been ordered to pay more than £800 in compensation to the farmer.

Steve Young, 43, of Crow Lane, Otley, Leeds, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (10 January) after pleading guilty to sheep worrying.

His 14-month-old puppy named “Bear” – an Alaskan Malamute which is similar to a large husky – escaped from a business premises in Dacre, Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, and ran into a field of ewes and lambs, the court heard.

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A witness described seeing a dog attacking a lamb and throwing it around.

The owner of the flock was contacted and arrived to find two lambs lying on the ground with injured legs and two more bleeding from bite marks.

One of the lambs was so badly hurt it had to be put down by a vet. The other three died of their injuries.

The farmer who owned the sheep told officers he was “upset and shocked” by the incident. There was no public right of way on the land.

Mr Young was interviewed by police. He said he was shocked and stated the dog must have run out of a side door of the business premises. He maintained that the dog was not capable of attacking the sheep, but was “playing” with them.

Apology to farmer

He apologised to the farmer and offered to pay costs.

Magistrates ordered Mr Young to pay £808.27 to the owner to cover the value of the animals and the costs he incurred. He was also given a conditional discharge.

After the sentencing, wildlife crime officer PC Bill Hickson, who led the case for North Yorkshire Police, said: “This was a particularly bad case of sheep worrying that shows how careful dog owners need to be when there is livestock nearby.

“When a dog runs amok among a flock of sheep, it can do a huge amount of damage by panicking the animals. If it causes injuries as well, as happened in this case, there’s a good chance that animal will die.

“The farmer in this case has been left with four dead lambs, a distressed flock and veterinary fees.”