Cops share horrifying pictures of dog shot dead by farmer as it mauled sheep in ‘killing rampage’

A DOG was shot dead by a farmer after a "killing rampage" among a flock of sheep in the Cotswolds.

Police released gory images of the husky lying dead in a field - along with a lamb and at least two ewes - as a warning to keep pets on a lead.

The distressing pictures show the grey husky with its tongue hanging out next to the blood-stained corpse of a young lamb.

Other photos showed evidence of the carnage it caused on a farm in the Cotswolds.

Wools is strewn across the field and at least two adult sheep can be seen lying dead.

Gloucestershire Constabulary's rural crime team shared the images on Twitter as a reminder that "livestock worrying" is against the law.

Officers said: "Is this upsetting and offensive? Probably, but this is what happened.

"The husky was unfortunately shot whilst on a killing rampage.

"Keep dogs on a lead, it's lambing season."

Under the Animals Act 1971, person responsible for caring for livestock is entitled to act in their protection by killing or injuring a dog that has "worried" them.

There must be no other reasonable means of ending the worrying - and the killing or injuring of the dog must be reported to police within 48 hours.

In December around 30 sheep were mauled to death by a pack of ";out of control" dogs in Cheshire.

Police released photos of the aftermath of the killing spree, saying the believed the pack chased the sheep to exhaustion on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

In November, a family's tiny pet cockapoo Benji was shot dead by a farmer after chasing a sheep, also in Cheshire.

The owners said they asked a man in a Land Rover if he'd seen the runaway pet and he replied: “Yes, I’ve shot it. Help yourself, it’s in the back.”