A SMALLHOLDER left devastated after a Husky dog killed two of her lambs is calling on owners to take responsibility for their pets.

Sharon Logan has been left heartbroken following the vicious attack near her home in Gainford, Teesdale, when the dog got into a field she uses to nurse sick lambs and ewes, on Monday morning.

The retired podiatrist rushed home when she was called by neighbours John Tully and Roy Logan, who managed to retrieve the dog who had already mauled two lambs while another two ewes also suffered injuries.

The grandmother, whose grandson Logan's lamb had to be put down, said: “I just don’t think people with dogs realise the destruction it causes. We were lucky because if John and Roy had not been there, we would have lost the whole lot.

“Two lambs have had to be put to sleep and another two ewes are not looking so good. It had a hold of them and broke their skin and pulled their wool off.”

The animals were the most vulnerable of Mrs Logan’s flock which she keeps in a field near her home so she can nurse them around the clock.

“I have hand reared all these ones so they are very friendly. I work my own dog Nan with them so they always come up to me because they know they are safe, so they didn’t even have the sense to run away when this dog got in.”

Mrs Logan reported the attack to the police and contacted Durham County Council who sent a dog warden out.

The dog was microchipped, but Mrs Logan said she was left reeling when the warden told her he would be returning the dog to its owner.

“I want this dog put to sleep because I know it will do it again because it has tasted blood,” she said. “It’s horrible but I had two of my own dogs put to sleep 20 years ago after an incident but that’s part of being a responsible dog owner.”

She added: “It’s devastating and the hardest thing to get my head round. If I had a gun I could have shot the dog but I just cannot believe it can go back to the owner – it’s not right.”

Mrs Logan said the animals have been left distressed by the incident which involved 14 lambs and three ewes and cost her about £600.

A police spokeswoman confirmed they are investigating.

A spokeswoman for the National Farmers’ Union said the union was working with the police to combat the problem and more and more farmers and livestock owners were highlighting the issue through social media.

She said: “We certainly appeal to all dog owners to be aware of it and keep their animals on leads.”

Richie Brown, the council’s neighbourhood warden co-ordinator, said: “It is extremely distressing for owners when animals are attacked and we would urge all dog owners to keep their pets on leads when they are near livestock. In this case, one of our wardens returned the dog to its owner and passed the details of the incident to police. It is the police who have the powers to decide what, if any, action should now be taken.”