Woman appealing for information after ram attacked in Brierfield

A woman is appealing for information after a ram was savagely attacked and left for dead in Brierfield.

Bethany Cook said the attack happened on her grazing land, on Montford Road, on Wednesday, April 26, between 6pm and 8pm.

The 20-year-old, who owns Quaker Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation, believed the animal was attacked by a dog, or several dogs.

A ram's ear was torn off after being attacked by a dog in Brierfield (Image: Bethany Cook)

She said the ram had extensive injuries and was found barely alive with a broken ankle, ear torn off, testicles split open, rump skinned and a number of puncture wounds, all over its body.  

She said he had been suffering for hours before being found. The animal was later euthanised due to the severity of its injuries.

“Members of the public had been trying to contact us for around two hours,” she said.

“They didn’t know whose sheep it was; they were as they had only just been moved onto the land around an hour before the suspected attack.

“Due to the presence of puncture wounds, we are sure it was a dog.”

Bethany is yet to receive the medical invoice which will include costs related to the emergency out of hours vet fees, euthanasia and the disposal of the body.

A ram was attacked in Brierfield (Image: Bethany Cook)

Bethany said it is “horrific” the animal was left in that condition.

She said: “This was on some grazing land we currently have next to a bridal path off Montford Road.

“It is securely fenced and it appears someone has opened the gate and accessed the land through that way even though there is no public right of way through the land.

“We have not been affected by sheep worrying before but have spent so much time, effort and money on our sheep raising them.

“The fact that someone has left him for dead and not even contacted a vet to advise them what had happened is horrific.”

A ram was attacked in Brierfield (Image: Bethany Cook)

Bethany is now urging the owner of the dog to come forward to pay these bills, adding they will be kept anonymous if they come and do the right thing.

She has also issued a warning to dog owners about the importance of keeping animals on a lead around livestock.

She said: “Dog owners need to keep their dogs on leads until they are 100 per cent there are no livestock around, they must also not trespass onto land.”

If dogs are on farmers' land not on a lead and farmers believe their animals are in danger, they are well within their right to shoot a dog.

Police say the incident has been reported to the rural taskforce, who are looking into it.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting log reference: LC-20230427-0581