Claudia’s escaped dog ‘kills pregnant sheep’
A DOG owned by Claudia Schiffer is said to have killed a pregnant sheep and mauled two more after it escaped from the grounds of her country home.
Police officers found a German shepherd, believed to be the supermodel’s pet, covered in blood after savaging a ewe’s neck.
The pregnant sheep, which could be seen bloodied and motionless in a picture, was so badly injured that she had to be put down, it was reported. The incident in Northamptonshire is said to be the fourth time the 48-year-old and her film director husband Matthew Vaughn, 47, have been warned about their ‘out of control’ pets.
Police officers advised the farmer who owned the sheep that it was illegal to shoot the dog because he had it under control – but he would have been entitled to kill it if it had continued its bloody rampage.
Miss Schiffer and Mr Vaughn, who recently moved to the Northamptonshire village of Culworth with their three children, reportedly agreed to a voluntary control order issued by the police after the incident on November 14.
They must now secure their home to stop their dogs escaping the property, the Sun reported.
Their lawyers are believed to be in discussions with the farmer whose sheep were attacked.
Locals said he is facing £3,000 vets’ fees as other ewes, worth £250 each, need ongoing treatment after being terrorised by the dog. A villager said: ‘ The farmer is not happy. He’s concerned other ewes have lost babies, worth £80 each.’
Another resident added: ‘ The dog was retrieved by a member of the couple’s staff. Claudia was deeply concerned her dog would have to be put down. She and Matthew are mortified about being thought of as irresponsible dog owners.’
The model, who has a number of other animals including cats, sheep, a pig and a tortoise, has kept German shepherd dogs for many years and has previously spoken of her love for the breed.
This is not the first time her dogs have misbehaved.
In 2006 police officers twice contacted the couple after complaints that their pets had attacked other dogs in the Suffolk village of Stanningfield where they then lived.
It was also reported that their German shepherd Oscar had bitten a postman on the arm and had been seen chasing a deer.
Their Irish wolfhound Roxy was alleged to have attacked an elderly Jack Russell being walked along a footpath near their Tudor mansion. The Jack Russell was seriously injured but recovered after surgery costing several hundred pounds, which the couple paid for.
Following that incident the couple said in a statement that the dogs were under control.
A spokesman for Miss Schiffer said at the time: ‘It was taken very seriously. The household has taken various precautions to ensure public safety. This included sending the dogs for retraining and keeping them in an enclosed area.’
But in 2010 she was again questioned by police over claims one of her dogs bit another dog near her mansion.
The Mail has attempted to contact Miss Schiffer for comment.