Wonky the sheep put down after third dog attack

A "friendly and inquisitive" sheep which had survived two previous dog attacks had to be put down after a third attack.

"Wonky" was discovered at Barnack Hills and Holes National Nature Reserve, near Peterborough, on 5 April in an area where dogs are banned.

A Natural England spokesperson said the nature reserve had seen an increase in dog attacks since lockdown. About two to three sheep were put down a year as a result.

Volunteers have been patrolling the reserve since 2021 to look out for people walking their dogs in the prohibited areas.

The spokesperson said Wonky often approached visitors and children to say hello.

The rare breed gained its name after the first dog attack which left it with a kink in its neck.

She survived near-fatal injuries in a second attack, only to be put down after the latest attack "much to the dismay of staff and visitors".

"We have seen a considerable increase in the number of dogs on the site since lockdown," the spokesperson said.

"As a result, we have seen an increase in sheep worrying and attacks on our sheep."

A team of about eight volunteers were "responsible for a significant reduction in such attacks but "cannot be on site all day, every day".

The gate to Barnack's sheep grazing area has been locked to all visitors since the latest attack.

The nature reserve, which is managed by Natural England, hosts a diverse array of rare plant species, including Pasqueflowers and orchids.

Wonky was part of a flock of 120 rare breed sheep, mostly Shetland and Hebridean breeds, which grazes several reserves in the Peterborough area.

Their grazing allowed more delicate plants to flourish on these sites, according to the public body.

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