Mystery Dog's Sheep Scares Police in Devon

Police in Devon are urgently seeking information about a distinctive blue merle collie cross-type dog involved in a series of recent livestock attacks. The dog, described as having a brown muzzle and legs with blue/brown markings on its head and black on its back, has been sighted in areas where sheep have been found injured or killed. Officers are increasingly concerned by the rise in incidents, which have occurred in Cheriton Fitzpaine, Crediton, and Stockleigh English. The most recent attacks took place overnight between September 18 and 19, resulting in one Valais ewe killed and another injured in Poughill, and six lambs killed and 20 seriously injured in Pennymoor. Earlier attacks between September 1 and 3 in the Cheriton Fitzpaine area caused an estimated £15,000 in losses. As of September 20, 2026, the situation is ongoing, with police encouraging livestock owners to enhance field security. A revised law on sheep worrying came into effect earlier this year, imposing unlimited fines on convicted dog owners and allowing police to seize dogs.