‘IT WAS SO HORRIBLE TO SEE, IT MADE ME FEEL SICK’

AN Anglesey farmer has shared gruesome images of his three-week-old lambs that were mauled to death to highlight the devastating impact of livestock attacks.

Gareth Hughes, 52, from Valley, has lost a dozen lambs, three sheep and three ewes after a dog escaped from its owner and attacked his livestock in Llanynghenedl.

A number of newborn lambs had their ears ripped off, their faces mauled and their stomachs ravaged open.

As a result of the shocking incident, a couple of lambs and two sheep that ran away in fear also drowned in a nearby pond, while others died of shock.

Mr Hughes, who was informed of the incident on Wednesday afternoon, said the sickening attack, which happened sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, has left him feeling as though he has lost a part of his family. The amount of damage is unbelievable. It was horrible to see, it made me sick,” he said.

“The shepherd called and said I should come down to the field because there was a hell of a mess. There was wool all over the field – you could see the guts hanging out of one of the lambs and some had their ears hanging off.

“Some were still bleeding 24 hours after they had been attacked.

“At the moment, I am lambing day and night. I am getting around an hour and half sleep a night so I am already drained.

“It feels like I’ve lost a part of my family. I’ve worked hard to keep them alive, I had a duty to look after them.

“I am very depressed about it. I couldn’t sleep at all the following day. I’ve been sick because I’m so furious about what’s happened.”

Officers from North Wales Police rural crime team are investigating the incident and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

They are urging people walking a dog in rural areas to ensure they are kept on a lead at all times to stop a “totally preventable offence” which is understood to be happening daily.

Mr Hughes added: “I don’t want anyone else to have to go through what I’ve been through this week.”

Mr Hughes, who has only 11 lambs left, has estimated a loss of more than £3,000 as a result of the attack.

He added: “I’ve got a family to look after and bills to pay. Every one of those of lambs were my wages.

“There isn’t much money in it anyway, it’s more of an expensive hobby. And with Brexit on the horizon, that brings all kinds of worries.”