A PREGNANT ewe was savaged by two boxer dogs which had escaped from their owner's Darwen home, a court has heard.

Blackburn magistrates were told the blood-stained dogs were found standing over the stricken animal which later had to be destroyed to end its suffering.

Other animals in the flock also showed signs of injury and distress and were at risk of aborting their lambs following the incident in February.

An allegation of owning a dog which worried livestock against Adrian John Williamson, 44, of Manor Road, Darwen, was proved in his absence. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £140 compensation and £65 costs.

In a letter to the court Williamson said he and his wife had been out to celebrate his birthday and were puzzled when the dogs did not greet them on their return.

Their son explained that the dogs had escaped.

They had searched in the park and surrounding area until the early hours of the morning and had even driven to their former home to see if the dogs had gone there. He said they had owned the dogs since they were puppies and found it hard to believe they would do any harm to livestock.

He said he would be unable to guarantee the dogs would not escape again and had re-homed them out of the area, causing great sadness to all members of the family.