Police search for off-road bikers after dog killed
A DOG owner has blasted a group of off-road bikers who she says ran over and killed her sheepdog without even stopping.
Sheepdog Jess was sitting in the gateway of a field belonging to Parc-YBrain Farm in Goytre, Pontypool, at around 11.30am on Sunday when four dirt bikes apparently came down the lane at speed.
Jess’s owner Elaine Lanchbury said one of the riders got distracted whilst looking behind him and swerved into her 12-year-old working animal, who’d just completed a morning’s sheep herding.
Now she’s calling for information to track down those responsible.
“A group of about five off-road motorcycles just ripped up the lane like idiots, pulling wheelies and ran over our sheep dog,” said the 55-yearold in a Facebook post that’s since been shared nearly 4,000 times.
“They rode past like fools and swerved into the gateway, killing Jess. They didn’t even have the decency to stop.
“I happened right in front of my son Harry. We are heartbroken.”
Elaine added she has since found nearby CCTV footage of the riders and has shared images of them online.
She said, “These people are believed to be local to the Goytre/Penperlleni area.
“They rode into the village along Plough Road. Someone must know who these people are.
“Or, if it’s you, have the guts to come forward and apologise.”
The incident has been reported to Gwent Police, a spokesperson for which said: “We’re investigating a report of criminal damage in Goytre at around 12pm on Sunday 18 April, after the death of a dog.
“Four people were seen riding offroad bikes in Park Y Brain Lane and one of the riders reportedly collided with a sheepdog.
“Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information that could assist our investigation, or has CCTV or dashcam footage, is asked to call Gwent Police on 101, quoting log reference 2100133990.
“You can also contact us via social media on Facebook and Twitter or you can report any information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”