Dog attack on sheep has children in tears

Nicola Marshallsea, who tried to rescue the sheep, pictured with her sons Kieran (left) and Elliot

TERRIFIED children screamed as an heroic mother tackled a dog savaging a sheep at a popular beauty spot.

Nicola Marshallsea and her sons were caught up in the drama when they joined friends and family for a picnic at Dovestone Reservoir. The 32-year-old NHS secretary from Royton rushed to help a passer-by trying to wrestle the huskie-style dog off the terrified sheep.

For five minutes the dog repeatedly bit and savaged the sheep, which fought to escape along the bed of a shallow stream.

Nicola was visiting the area with her sons Elliot (13) and Kieran (11): “The attack seemed to last ages,” she said. “The sheep was bleeding from wounds to its head and neck, and the dog was chomping on its back legs. When it got the taste of blood, it seemed to make things worse.”

Another witness to the attack, her friend Michelle Brown (50), was at the reservoir with her four children.

She said: ”At first the dog’s owner was nowhere to be seen. Other people rushed to try to pull it off. The sheep was terrified.

“A couple of lambs ran away in fright but kept coming back. People who intervened put themselves at risk. Nicola was one of the brave people who tried to pull the dog off. There were lots of children around, some were upset and crying.

“A man out walking his well-trained animals stopped and finally got a lead on the dog.”

She added: “When the owner finally appeared, she was abusive and aggressive towards the people who had tried to help. She used awful language. The sheep was screaming in pain and fright. People helping had blood on them.”

Farmer Jim Bradbury said:”There has been no sign of the wounded sheep since the attack. It happens regularly. Visitors should keep their dogs on a short lead when they are near livestock.”