Armed police had to shoot a sheep which had been savaged by two rottweilers.

It happened in a front garden in Canterbury after a number of sheep had been attacked by the dogs in a field.

Peter Streader, in whose garden it happened, spoke of "blood everywhere" following the vicious attack this morning.

He was talking after armed police joined in the hunt for the dogs. Seven sheep were attacked and severely injured in a field off Downs Road. Four of the seven sheep were so seriously injured they had to be put down.

Mr Streader, who lives opposite the field, witnessed the two dogs attacking a sheep which had escaped and was in his front garden.

He said: "I was woken at about 7.10am by the sound of barking and when I looked out of the window I saw the rottweilers standing guard in front of a sheep which was in a dreadful state and clearly petrified with half its face missing."

Mr Streader, who lives in Downs Road, went on: "A police officer shot the injured sheep in my front garden but it had to be put down because it was in such a bad way.

"I think the police were worried that two dangerous dogs were on the loose when people would start to take their kids to school."

Police were called to the area at about 7.15am and told the dogs had headed in the direction of St Stephen’s Hill, which they closed with the junction of Downs Road.

Area commander for the East Kent Area, Ch Supt John Molloy, said his officers would shoot the dogs if necessary.

He added: "Our priority is to protect the local people and livestock."

Two dogs were later safely removed from the area by the RSPCA.

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