A young Welsh farmer has issued a frank appeal to dog owners after one of his sheep was savaged.

James Bourne, who farms in Torfaen, shared images of the aftermath of the attack on social media, to demonstrate the devastation dog attacks can cause.

It is the fourth time in two months that his flock has been attacked.

James’ Facebook post was shared more than 850 times and shows one his lambs with severe injuries after the attack.

“Dogs should be on leads,’’ he wrote. “I’m sick of this. While you were probably eating your breakfast or snoring in bed early this morning I was around cleaning up this mess.

“If you’re going to walk on my land respect my livestock and respect the countryside! I’ll say it again, keep your dog on a lead or it will be shot.”

The police have been notified but even though James has put signs up on his land he says the message is being ignored.

“I’ve put signs up that people almost have to touch to walk past and still no one listens. This is an ongoing problem and needs to be stopped, but how to do it is another thing.

“I just hope people start to listen, this job is hard enough without all this.”