A horrific dog attack has resulted in the death of nine sheep on a farm near Canterbury.

Two large black dogs were seen savaging the flock in a field off Stodmarsh Road on Wednesday morning, leaving many other animals badly mauled.

Some fled and were found huddled and petrified in gardens along the road and had to be rounded up.

Scroll down for video

The incident has left farmer Verity Garrett, of Elbridge Farm, Littlebourne, devastated.

"It's a truly horrific and distressing sight," said Mrs Garrett, who helps manage a flock of 270 sheep as well as other livestock.

"The attack happened in a field of around 30 sheep and those which survived are clearly distressed. They are breeding ewes and were due to go to the ram shortly but we will have to see how they are affected."

"The two labrador-sized dogs were seen in the field and it is very important that we trace the owners because our fear is that it could happen again and we can't keep watch over them all day and night.

"Dogs in a field of sheep will often revert to their instinct and are capable of causing serious injuries."

But Mrs Garrett warns farmers are quite within their rights to shoot the dogs if it happens again, which they would consider.

"I regularly see dog walkers in the countryside without their pets on a lead and they get the hump when I tell them," she said. "But they don't see what farmers like me are increasingly witnessing."

Mrs Garrett, 34, worked in the food industry before joining the family business E H Holdstock and Son six years ago.

She says the financial cost to the farm could be up to £2,000 when the loss, recovery and disposal of dead sheep and veterinary fees are taken into account.

Video: Dead sheep found on farm after dog attack

Police say they were called at 6.17am on Wednesday to a report of sheep loose in Stodmarsh Road, Canterbury, and then found several dead in a field.

PC Tim Moody from the Rural Liaison Team said: ‘It is not yet known for sure whether dogs are responsible for the death of these sheep but we would ask anyone who had dogs in the area to contact us as soon as possible as they might have information that can assist us.

‘We understand that incidents like this are not only distressing for the sheep but also for the farmers who experience significant financial losses when their livestock is injured or killed. We will be patrolling the area and providing advice and reassurance to farms nearby.’

Anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 31-0135.

Video: Dead sheep found on farm after dog attack