The Manx National Farmers’ Union has confirmed that a farmer found two dogs attacking his sheep earlier today.

Earlier the post had said sheep had been killed in the Sulby area but offered no further information on the type of attack suffered.

A MNFU statement said the farmer, in Lezayre, came across the dogs attacking his sheep earlier today.

He described the dogs as ’large springer type dogs, one was liver and white in colour with a red collar and the second dog was a darker colour possibly with patches of black or dark tan’.

The farmer was unable to catch the dogs which acted aggressively as he approached them before they ran off in the direction of the Garey Ford. He is now in the process of trying to round up the sheep and assess them for injuries, he was able to catch the sheep photographed as it couldn’t run away.

Tim Johnston, president of the MNFU is reminding all farmers that you are only legally allowed to shoot a dog if you catch it in the act of attacking or worrying your livestock, before you shoot the dog you must make every reasonable attempt to catch it first.

Officers from Ramsey police station are investigating the attack and anyone with information is asked to contact them on 812234.