A farmer has urged dog owners to take extra care after 11 pregnant sheep died and a further 40 are still at risk of aborting following an attack.

Alan and Louise Barr, who work at East Lenham Farm off the Ashford Road, found three of their sheep dead this week, while others died of delayed stress later.

Each animal was worth at least £150, plus the value of the unborn lambs.

Mr and Mrs Barr also fear the incident could cause the other 40 ewes in the field at the time to abort their pregnancies.

It is the third time this year the farm has suffered such an attack, resulting in a loss of about 40 animals. Vet treatment and costs have also added up to about £9,000.

Mr Barr, 38, has been working on the farm all his life, said: “Dog attacks have always been a problem but this is the worst I have ever known it to be.

“We’ve had attacks in March and September and it’s traumatising to deal with.

“The costs do add up and make a huge difference. We are insured but normally send a bill to owners and are dependent on their good will.

“I don’t blame the dogs for a second, they are only doing what is natural to them, but I would like owners to show more care because they are ruining someone else’s livelihood."

"As a farmer I am within my rights to shoot a dog if I see it attacking my livestock, but I have never done it. I like dogs.”- Alan Barr

Although the sheep died from shock and did not suffer physical injuries Kent Police were informed and a resolution has been agreed – the owner of the dogs, a Jack Russell and a German shepherd, will have them destroyed.

The National Farmers’ Union estimates incidents like this cost its members more than £1 million each year.

Catherine Langrish, Kent’s NFU adviser, said: “We are urging people to keep dogs on a lead as whatever their temperament, dogs have a chase instinct that is triggered by the sight or movement of farm animals.”