A DESPERATE farmer reluctantly had to shoot a pet dog terrifying his sheep.

John Reddaway, of Lower Rixdale Farm, near Teignmouth, tried to chase the black and tan setter away from his flock, and even fired warning shots, to no avail.

He was forced to aim his shotgun at the dog and pull the trigger when it drove the nine sheep through a wire fence into a gully.

'It was all horrible, and the last thing I wanted to do was to kill the dog, but I had no alternative,' he said.

'The animal just would not be called off, and was going berserk. Two of my sheep were already injured, and I feared that others would be badly injured or killed unless I did something.'

Mr Reddaway, who was born at the family farm on the edge of Little Haldon, has been wary of roaming dogs ever since a pair attacked a large flock in 1990. More than 40 sheep were killed or so badly injured they had to be put down.

'It was a last resort to shoot the dog this time, and I hope it sends out a message to owners that their pets are in danger of being shot if they worry sheep.

'Most owners are responsible, but there are a few who do not keep proper control, and this can be the very sad outcome.

'I love animals, and do not want to hurt them. Sheep that are chased by dogs can also be severely traumatised, as well as physically injured.'

The incident occurred on a field adjoining the moor, which is popular with dog walkers.

Mr Reddaway said there was no sign of the owner when he went to the area, after being alerted by his son, Tom.

'Eventually I came across a woman calling for her dog. I think she had just let him out of her car, and sat there waiting for him to return.

'She was obviously upset when I told her what had happened, and her teenage daughter was hysterical, but she realised I had no choice.

'I could press for her to be prosecuted for sheep worrying and claim damages, but she has suffered enough with the loss and hopefully learned a lesson, so I will not take it any further,' Mr Reddaway added.

Police community support officer Colin Rider, who covers the rural area around Teignmouth, said the incident should be a warning to all dog owners to supervise their pets carefully in the countryside.

'It was the second incident of its kind I have had to deal with lately, and farmers have the perfect right to shoot dogs worrying sheep.

'Owners should not let pets out of their sight, because although they might think they know their temperament, dogs can behave very differently with sheep,' PCSO Rider emphasised.