A DOG viciously attacked a sheep leaving it with injuries so severe it had to be put down.

A farmer said a black Labrador was terrorising livestock at Morris Farm, near Horsham, at 4.30pm on January 16.

The dog was being whistled from a distance by its owner and was being called by a name that sounded like ‘Chester’.

It eventually ran off towards the caller.

A disturbing image of the incident has been released by Sussex Police in a bid to find the owner of the animal.

Sergeant Tom Carter, rural and wildlife crime lead for Sussex Police, said: “Time and time again we warn dog owners not to let their animals off the lead anywhere in the vicinity of livestock. Your docile family pet can turn vicious killer in the blink of an eye as the photo here sadly proves.

“By all means, enjoy the countryside with your dog, but please do not allow them off the lead anywhere near livestock and make sure that there aren’t sheep or other farm animals nearby, but just out of your view. Your dog will almost certainly know they’re there.”

Sussex Police asked anyone with information about the incident or who knows the dog or its owner to report it online or call 101 quoting serial 878 of 16/01.