Almost 50 lambs have been killed or injured in a horrifying dog attack.

Police are investigating after two loose dogs wreaked havoc in Sturry, near Canterbury at the weekend.

Officers were called to farmland near Elbridge Hill at about 6am on Saturday after walkers saw the dogs attacking the farm animals.

A ewe and 23 lambs died in the attack, and it is understood a further 23 lambs were seriously injured.

A statement from White Mills Vetinary Clinic, which was called to treat the wounded animals, said “more deaths are likely in the coming days”.

After officers attended the field, they were able to catch one Akita-type dog, while the other had left the scene.

The seized dog did not have a microchip or a collar, leading officers to appeal to the public for help in finding its owner.

Sergeant Darren Walshaw, of Kent Police's Rural Task Force, said: “This was a very distressing incident, with so many lambs having needlessly lost their lives.

“Offences of this kind also have a huge impact on farmers, who have often spent years building up flocks.

“We are determined to locate the dogs' owners and I urge anyone who has any information about how these dogs came to be in this area to get in contact with us.”

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 22-0239, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.