A sheep has been savaged by a loose dog as it grazed in a field by Tenterden railway line.

The four-year-old ewe, who was part of a 110-strong flock, was left with a ripped cheek after the attack at Town Field, Tenterden.

Silcocks Farm at Grange Road, St Michaels, who own the sheep, have been left several hundred pounds out of pocket following the veterinary bill.

Farm manager Ian Jones said: “The sheep was in the field known as Town Field which actually goes along the railway track behind Tenterden.

“It had been savaged, its throat was torn and its cheek had actually been ripped. It has been fixed and sown up now.”

Mr Jones, who has been at Silcocks since 1998, believed it must have been a dog because of the size of the sheep.

“It’s a big sheep so it must have been a big dog,” he said. “I would just urge dog walkers to be careful, control their dogs and keep on the paths.”

The incident has been reported to the police. Dog owners can be prosecuted if their animals are seen worrying or attacking livestock under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

Two alpacas owned by Goodwin Alpacas were mauled to death by two loose dogs in Smallhythe back in May.

• Anyone with information can call the police’s non-emergency number 101.