DOZENS of sheep have been killed by dogs in a wave of overnight attacks.

At least three farms near the junction of the East Lancashire Road and Warrington Road in Leigh and Glazebury have suffered losses after the attacks, in which at least 14 sheep died.

The worst attack took place between Monday night and Tuesday morning, when eight sheep were killed overnight at Hawkhurst Farm in Jennetts Lane and one had to be put down the following day due to its injuries.

Between Friday night and Saturday morning five sheep were killed at Netherbarrow Farm and at least one has been killed at Crompton Fold in Leigh.

Keith Roddy, from Hawkhurst Farm, said: "This was the second attack at my farm after the loss of three sheep earlier in the month.

"The attacks are all the more distressing as all of the ewes killed were pregnant.

"I and my neighbours are now staying up through the night to check on sheep but I still heard about another attack last night.

"While we have not yet directly witnessed an attack there has been sightings of a pack of four dogs, three German Shepherd dogs, one of which was white, and Labrador roaming in the area.

"People need to be aware that there are potentially some vicious dogs roaming free."

The injuries showed the sheep had been savaged around their throats.

Jack Hatch, from Netherbarrow Farm, had about 20 sheep, meaning he has lost a quarter of his flock.

He said: "It was like a scene from World War One the morning after. There were dead sheep everywhere.

"I don't think it is a fox because they are not big enough to do this to full-grown ewes and the injuries are to the throat which is where a dog would attack.

"We have all lost out financially, it will probably cost me around a £1,000 because my ram was killed too but it is the heartache more than anything.

"If it is a dog they would be returning home covered in blood so someone must know something. We can't put our sheep out until we get to the bottom of this."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We have received several reports of attacks from several different farms and we are investigating."

NFU spokesman Carl Hudspith added: “We would urge anyone with information to contact the police and help with the on-going investigation. The ewes killed in this attack were all pregnant which will have a financial impact on the farmer involved but more importantly there is also a real human loss as farmers care about their animals and their welfare. Having to recover the savaged bodies of these helpless ewes must have been heart-breaking. Sadly, we suspect there may be more upset to come for the farmer as it’s highly likely that the ewes which have survived will miscarry due to the stress of the attack.

“Farmers in the Leigh area need to be especially vigilant until the pack of dogs is found. Alert your neighbours in the houses that surround your farms and persuade them to also keep an eye out. Dog walkers and families who use the nearby Windy Bank Wood could also be crucial in identifying these dogs which obviously know how to kill. The NFU recognises that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible but this is a timely reminder to keep dogs on leads at all times when near to farms – especially those with livestock in the fields”