A Baldrine farmer has suffered a heavy blow after finding 25 of his lambs killed in a series of dog attacks.

Livestock worrying is a repeated issue among many farm owners around the island every year - and there have been several reports of similar attacks so far this spring.

The scale of deaths that Kevin Faragher of Ballacoar Farm has discovered to his flock, which graze on rented land at Clay Head, stands out as a serious tragedy.

He said: ’Twenty-five bodies of lambs were found, but more are missing. We think around 35 to 40 have been killed. I need to protect the rest of the flock because they are like sitting ducks there. So I’ve moved them off the land on Clay Head and to our land at Ballacoar Farm.

’The lambs haven’t even been eaten. It’s all for play.’

Visible bite marks were identified on the bodies.

’It’s definitely a dog attack,’ he said. ’A person I know said they had seen a big, loose dog within walking distance of the area.

’At first I just took the deaths on the chin, but the next time I went down there were 12 or 15 more dead. It’s more than a freak accident.’

It has not been confirmed whether it was specifically one dog that has caused the damage, but Kevin has taken steps to determine this.

’I’ve given carcasses over to be tested for DNA. Hopefully that will narrow down things.

Kevin, who has around 300 sheep on his farm, says the loss will possibly cost him thousands of pounds.

’Some lambs have been taken to the vets, which have cost a bit,’ he said. ’Some of those will not make it and will be put down.

’The true cost we won’t know until later, but it’s looking to be expensive,’ he explained.

A police statement reads: ’Police want to remind the public that it is lambing season and when walking with your dog near to where livestock are kept it is vitally important to keep your dog on a lead and under control.

’Sheep are very sensitive animals and the presence of a dog can cause stress to the animals resulting in their death, the public are asked to be mindful of this.’

Under the Dogs Act 1990, owners who do not have proper control of their dogs could receive a £2,500 fine.

Under the same act owners can protect their livestock by killing dogs that worry sheep.

Baldrine farmer Kevin Faragher counted the loss of 25 lambs killed after a series of dog attacks. Ten others are missing and some are receiving veterinary treatment.