A farmer believes a stray dog killed two of his sheep.

Mark Parratt runs Colne Valley Beef from his home in Straight Road, Boxted.

A dog attacked his flock on Sunday afternoon, killing two and seriously injuring another.

Mr Parratt, 44, said: “Two of the sheep suffered cuts on their heads and one has a broken leg and has lost lots of blood.

Mr Parratt has lived in Boxted for three years and owns 20 sheep.

He said the red De Bordeaux dog returned to the farm yesterday afternoon and attacked the flock again, injuring five sheep.

He said: “If we find out who owns it we will prosecute.

“The whole flock is traumatised and I could walk out there tomorrow and three or four of them could be dead from fright.”

A person in charge of a dog is guilty of an offence if the animal attacks, chases or injures a sheep.

A farmer may shoot a dog attacking or chasing farm animals without having to compensate its owner.