A SHEEP farmer on the Quantock Hills has put up a £100 reward to help catch the owner of a dog responsible for brutal attacks on his flock in the past month.

Anthony Salvidge, of Ge-mare Farm, found five of his 600-strong flock dead with their throats ripped out by a dog on Tuesday.

He had already lost six of the 27 known sheep killed on the hills since the start of the year.

Mr Salvidge said: "The hills are so vast it is making it difficult to catch the dog responsible. Every time we get up there we are ten minutes or one hour late and we are finding them dead.

"We have got the area pretty well manned in every corner and when we find the dog we'll shoot it. You've got to be cruel to be kind."

The spate of attacks brought an appeal from the Quantock Rangers this week for all dog owners to keep their pets under control.

With the lambing season set to start, rangers and volunteer wardens will be alerting the public to the seriousness of the problem.

Notices will be put up throughout the hills warning owners of the damage their dogs can do if allowed to run uncontrolled amongst livestock, especially sheep.

Rangers will be patrolling the hills in the build-up to the lambing season, talking to dog walkers and highlighting the recent problems.

Quantock Ranger Andy Harris said: "It is important to remember that all dogs being walked within a fenced area with sheep grazing must be kept on a lead at all times.

"Dogs should always be kept under close control, but at this sensitive time of year it is of even greater importance, and anyone witnessing an attack should report the incident immediately to the rangers or the police."

Owners who allow their dogs to frighten livestock can be fined up to £1,000 and run the risk of having their dog shot.

Anyone with information on the latest attacks can contact the Quantock Rangers on 01278 732845 or Williton police on 01823 363516.