A PET sheep at a farm animal sanctuary where actress Joanna Lumley is patron has been brutally savaged by a dog.

The distressed founder of the sanctuary at Middle Littleton has allowed gruesome photographs of the aftermath to be made public to let people see what a pet dog can do to a defenceless animal.

Janet Taylor has run the haven for rescued and aged animals, including horses, pigs, cattle, dogs, chickens and water fowl, for 17 years at Manor Orchard Farm and this is the seventh sheep to have been mauled in this way.

Many more, including other animals homed there, have suffered distress from being chased by dogs which were off their leash.

The latest mauling happened last Tuesday, September 22, causing immense pain and suffering to the animal.

Ms Taylor is now pleading with dog owners to be more responsible when walking along footpaths over farmland and ensure their pets are kept under control when near livestock. She says Miss Lumley is currently filming in France but will inform her of the latest tragedy.

"I was away on holiday when the ewe was attacked. The girls who help here were checking the animals, as we do twice a day, and found the ewe petrified and badly injured, said Ms Taylor.

"She was alive but she had been savaged around the throat and windpipe and was missing part of her jaw. A vet was called straight away to put her to sleep. We are all very upset about it. She was quite tame and friendly.

"This has cost us £100 in vet and disposal fees which is money that was intended to look after the animals.

"People do not realise that once a dog chases and attacks an animal and tastes blood it will do it again. That same dog could even be inclined to turn on a child now. It is a worry. They also think it is only big dogs that can do this sort of damage but I once had a sheep savaged by a Jack Russell terrier.

"The dog that attacked my sheep must have been covered in blood so the owner will know what it has done. In 17 years only one person has come to me and told me their dog has attacked an animal," she added.

"What owners don't realise is that land owners have a right to shoot a dog, even if it is just chasing a sheep, and when that happens there is an uproar.

"When we ask people to put their dogs on a lead we get abuse from them."

The attacks over the years has meant Ms Taylor has had to stop renting one of the fields that had a footpath going through it.

"I hope people stop and think of the damage their pet dog could do if it got out of control and appreciate that they are responsible for their pet. I don't blame the dogs because it's not their fault; it is the owner's fault.

The attack has been reported to the police.