Lamb Death by Dog Bite?

Notice affixed to a stile on the Abthorpe to Slapton public footpath

Lamb death. “Due to lamb death following dog bite please keep dogs on a lead.” That was the printed message posted alongside a stile on the Abthorpe to Slapton public footpath. Barbara Smith of Slapton Manor Farm explained that a large well looked after lamb had been found dead in the field with a largish bite that she believed was too big for a fox. As people find it difficult to realise that the pet dogs that they love can cause expensive damage to a farmer’s stock, Barbara was asking for dogs to be kept on leads for the immediate future. The potential value of the lamb was between £65 and £85.

John Riches