THREE sheep in north Dorset have died in what is thought to have been a vicious dog attack.

Sometime between 1pm on Tuesday, January 22 and 8am on Wednesday, January 23 three sheep in the Stony Lane area of Holwell were attacked by what is presumed to be a dog.

The attack left two sheep dead and one still alive with one of its legs nearly completely severed. Due to the severity of its injuries, the third sheep had to be put down.

Sherborne Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team is urging anyone with information about the attack to contact Dorset Police.

A spokesman for the team said: "Livestock worrying is a criminal offence under the Protection of Livestock Act 1953 and does not require an animal to be injured. Allowing a dog to be off a lead or otherwise not under close control in a field or enclosure of sheep is an offence.

"The penalty for livestock worrying can be six months' imprisonment and a fine of up to £1,000.

"If you saw this incident or if you have any information that may assist the police in identifying the dog owner, please contact Dorset Police."

To contact the force visit dorset.police.uk/do-it-online or call 101 and quote incident number 23:0079