DEER coursing dogs may have carried out savage sheep attacks near Petersfield after dogs described as pit bulls crossed with lurchers were seen running free in the area.

After two attacks on his sheep, farmer Andy Bray, of Nursted Farm, between Petersfield and Buriton, is appealing for walkers to keep a look out for similar dogs.

On his behalf, a National Farmers Union (NFU) spokesman said: “Police have reported that illegal deer coursing is happening just over the border in Sussex. Mr Bray’s sheep are big and the wounds are massive, so it is very likely it was big powerful dogs such as pit bull lurcher cross breeds that inflicted the injuries.”

The latest attack on Mr Bray’s ewes, in fields north of New Barn Lane near Buriton on the eastern edge of Queen Elizabeth Country Park, happened between 10am on Thursday, November 12, and noon the next day.

He said: “This is the second attack in the last six months. I would ask the public to act as our eyes and ears because, unless someone sees it happening, we won’t be able to find the culprit.”

Farm employee Ed Press added: “The lambing percentage with the sheep in this field has been poorer than our other sheep in places where there isn’t as much stress.”

The dog involved in the earlier incident was identified and a prohibition notice was issued to stop it being allowed off the lead.

Now, with help from the NFU, Mr Bray is putting up posters and signs advertising the dangers to livestock of free running dogs, and giving police and other contact numbers for people who see such dogs to ring.