Wrexham farmer speaks out over dog attack that killed 22 sheep

Paul Jones, of Rhos Farm, Rhosllanerchrugog, described the "horror story" he faced after the two American XL Bulldogs escaped their home and came onto his farm on March 6 this year.

"It was horrendous," 50-year-old Paul said.

"I could see some sheep loose on this morning and I thought someone had just left the gate open, so I went with my dog.

"When I walked around the corner, I saw two sheep absolutely ripped apart on the yard.

"I could hear a commotion in the shed, and these two dogs were absolutely going for it."

Mr Jones said as he called 999 for urgent help, his pregnant ewes were being slaughtered in the shed by the two dogs, which he described as "frenzied."

One of Paul's injured sheep (Image: UGC)

During the 999 call, one of the dogs even turned and tried to attack him, following him part way back towards his house before returning to the shed.

He said he felt very lucky not to have been mauled by the animal and is extremely grateful his teenage son or his mother did not come across it.

"I've been around animals all my life," he said.

"I've been chased by bulls and had dogs go for me - but this dog was frightening. He wasn't backing off."

To add to the terrifying situation, Mr Jones and attending police officers realised serious injury could have been caused to the public if the dogs left the farm.

He said: "There is a primary school 200 yards from my farm - and the children were on their way to school.

"These ewes were 78 to 80 kilos each, and the dogs were throwing them around like they were paper.

"If they went out and the children were screaming, they were frenzied; this could have been ten times worse."

Mr Jones then had to shoot both dogs to protect the surviving livestock and prevent the risk to others.

He added: "I was shaking like a leaf. But after a week I was telling myself, Paul; you did the right thing."

Paul Jones (Image: Paul Jones)

Speaking of the devastating scene the dogs left behind, he continued: "There was a pyramid of ewes ten foot high in the corner which had been trying to get out of the shed.

"It was an awful thing. We tried to save as many of them as possible from suffocating, but there were seven dead at the bottom.

"The vets came and they were here from 9am until six or seven at night, stitching faces and necks.

"I didn't sleep for a week after this."

Mr Jones said his farm tends to see dog attacks relatively regularly, with five or six having happened last year.

But this event was 'unprecedented,' he said, with the only comparable attack having happened 20 years ago when a pair of dogs got onto the farm and killed more than 40 sheep.

"We've had dog attacks in the past," he continued.

"They take place out on the fields - ewes have a chance to get away there and normally one or two are attacked.

One of Paul's injured sheep (Image: Paul Jones)

"But they were in that shed and there was no way out of there for them."

As well as the emotional impact of losing his livestock, Mr Jones has also had a bitter discovery with regards to his insurance following the incident.

He explained: "My premiums have gone from £3,400 to £5,500 - and no other brokers would touch me now."

The incident saw the loss of more than 50 lambs due to stillbirth and abortion, which is not covered by his insurance

And the value of his surviving ewes has gone from £180 each to £40 or less.

"Most of them will never breed again," he explained.

Mr Jones said legislation and police powers available to deal with such attacks "need to change."

He said: "In Scotland, this crime would [have a sentence of] a £40,000 fine or jail. In England and Wales it is a maximum of £1,000."

David Hughes, of Pen y Wern, Rhosllanerchrugog, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 22, where he admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and being the owner of a dog worrying livestock.

The 26-year-old was banned from keeping dogs for five years and ordered to pay £900 in fines.

One of Paul's injured sheep (Image: Paul Jones)

The financial cost of the incident amounted to more than £14,000.

In the aftermath of the sentencing, North Wales Police reiterated its plea to the public to ensure they keep dogs on a lead and under control around in the countryside - or if left at home alone, that the house or garden are secure.

Dr Hazel Wright, deputy head of policy at the Farmers’ Union of Wales, said: "We want dog owners to enjoy the countryside responsibly and the vast majority of dog walkers do so without incident. 

"However, our members continue to be plagued by livestock injuries and fatalities from dog attacks which are both preventable and unacceptable. 

"The message is simple and applies to all breeds of dog at all times - please keep your dog on a lead in fields near livestock."