Sheep mauled to death by dog near nature reserve

A sheep has died after being "violently attacked" by a dog off its lead near a nature reserve in South Yorkshire.

The animal was believed to have been mauled to death on 5 March as it was grazing on land adjoining Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Potteric Carr nature reserve, with staff only discovering it the following morning.

The trust said it was "furious" about careless dog owners who allowed their pets to enter areas where livestock was grazing, despite clear signs and "extensive communication" about the risk.

A spokesperson said: "Situations like this are deeply distressing and cost us time and money – precious resources we rely on for conservation work."

"Unfortunately, this is not the first incident of its kind to occur on our nature reserves, with several dog attacks on both sheep and seals occurring over the last two years", they added.

The trust said pregnant ewes had been chased at Kilnsea Wetlands and Stirley nature reserves in 2023 and a seal was attacked at Spurn Point.

So far in 2026, there had also been several incidents involving off-lead dogs at Stirley, including one worrying a flock for a whole day.

A trust spokesperson said staff had put up signs at Potteric Carr indicating that sheep were in the fields.

They added that while it was recognised that the trust's reserves and bridleways were popular with dog walkers, animals must be kept on a lead.

As well as killing livestock, off-lead dogs could also trample on and disturb ground-nesting birds, the spokesperson said.

In a statement, the trust said: "Our nature reserves are spaces for wildlife first and foremost, and we ask that our visitors – particularly those with dogs – treat them with greater respect.

"The trust remains deeply concerned by repeated instances of trespass and livestock-worrying, a frustration shared by many landowners across the region and the wider UK."

The BBC has contacted South Yorkshire Police for comment.

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