FOUR sheep have been savaged to death by a dog on farmland near Canterbury.

They have been attacked over a period of a fortnight at Denne Hill Farm in Womenswold. Police are anxious to trace the animal.

The dog, most likely the size of an Alsatian, is on the loose in the countryside in Womenswold, Woolage and Barham.

PC Suzy Clarke says a man in a green van has been seen around the villages asking if anyone has seen his beige Japanese Akita dog.

“We need to know if this person who has been driving about has found his pet so we can eliminate that dog from our inquiries,” PC Clarke said. “We are not saying this dog is the one involved, but it is a bit of a coincidence that someone has been out in this area looking for a missing dog.”

Over the last fortnight, 13 sheep have been attacked with four dying from their injuries.

A vet who examined the sheep said their injuries bore the hallmarks of an attack by a collie, Labrador or a larger dog and not that of a fox. All of the attacks happened at night.

PC Clarke added: “If anyone sees a dog out there which looks as if it is feral, they should not approach it as it is dangerous and they should phone the police.”

Anyone who sees a suspect dog roaming the countryside is asked to ring 999. Other information can be passed to PC Clarke on 07980 683818.