A FARMER has slammed reckless dog owners whose pets mauled 12 of his lambs.

The latest incident on Tuesday at Magnolls Farm, Haslingden Old Road, Oswaldtwistle, led to four lambs being left with bad bite marks on their necks.

Owner Charlie Peach said he was appalled by what had happened to the lambs and said the police had been informed.

He said: “We had four sheep waiting to be put down and we lost two the night before.

“I’ve chased a number of dogs off the land in the past.

"There is a bridleway that runs across the land and I think the dogs are coming from there.

"Owners don’t leave them on a lead and that’s causing problems.

“Our pet goat was even attacked by terriers and their owners said ‘oh, they’ve not done that before'.

"Of coure they’re going to do that, they’re hunting dogs.”

The farm, which is home to the UK Hovercraft Championships, spreads across 60 acres and the 40 sheep which are kept on the land belong to a neighbouring farmer.