Barnack nature reserve’s sheep put down after third canine attack

A “pleasant and inquisitive” sheep which had survived two earlier canine assaults needed to be put down after a 3rd attack.

“Wonky” was found at Barnack Hills and Holes National Nature Reserve, close to Peterborough, on 5 April in an space the place dogs are banned.

A Natural England spokesperson stated the character reserve had seen a rise in canine assaults since lockdown. About two to a few sheep had been put down a yr because of this.

Volunteers have been patrolling the reserve since 2021 to look out for individuals walking their dogs within the prohibited areas.

The spokesperson stated Wonky usually approached guests and youngsters to say hi there.

The uncommon breed gained its title after the primary canine attack which left it with a kink in its neck.

She survived near-fatal accidents in a second attack, solely to be put down after the latest attack “a lot to the dismay of workers and guests”.

“We have seen a substantial improve within the variety of dogs on the positioning since lockdown,” the spokesperson stated.

“As a outcome, we’ve got seen a rise in sheep worrying and assaults on our sheep.”

A group of about eight volunteers had been “accountable for a major discount in such assaults however “can’t be on web site all day, each day”.

The gate to Barnack’s sheep grazing space has been locked to all guests because the latest attack.

The nature reserve, which is managed by Natural England, hosts a various array of uncommon plant species, together with Pasqueflowers and orchids.

Wonky was a part of a flock of 120 uncommon breed sheep, principally Shetland and Hebridean breeds, which grazes a number of reserves within the Peterborough space.

Their grazing allowed extra delicate vegetation to flourish on these websites, based on the general public physique.