A farmer has discovered 20 dead lambs in a field after a bloody attack by a dog or dogs.

Officers from the Northamptonshire Rural Crime Team believing the animals were victim of a 'sustained attack' on land off the A361 in Badby, near Daventry. Five of the lambs had bite injuries from a dog, according to a police spokesman, with a further 15 suspected of dying from shock or by being crushed in a stampede as the animals were chased.

Read more: Rural crime is back with a vengeance

The lambs’ carcases were found by a farmer at 10am on Tuesday. Local Police are reminding owners that they are responsible for controlling pets and that dogs chasing livestock can legally be shot by farmers.