A farmer has spoken of heartache suffered after a vicious dog attack on young cattle.

Ryan Twentyman has shared images on Facebook after a young beast was discovered ripped open and two more had holes in their sides.

Four other yearlings suffered cuts to the legs and eyes during the attack in a field at Whitrigg, near Ireby.

Ryan’s dad, Keith, said he had rented the field to another farmer, Michael Lawson, for his herd of 25 young beasts.

“My son, who is 26, was in tears when Michael alerted us to what had happened to his animals. He said he had never seen anything like the kind of damage that had been inflicted before,” said Keith.

“He put the photos on Facebook to see if anyone had seen anything or knew anything,” added Keith.

The most shocking images are too graphic to show in the News & Star .

Others, however, show bite marks on the animals and fuel speculation as to what may have happened.

Michael Lawson said it was like a “massacre” when he checked his cows on Sunday morning.

“It was a terrible sight that greeted us. We could actually see the lung on one beast going in and out. It must have been more than one dog. The remaining youngsters were standing together petrified.”

He added: “It looks like the animals were rounded up in a corner of the field. It looks like some were forced to try and jump the wall which had barbed wire across the top. We think the beast that died was cut open on the wire, but it also had many bites on it.”

“Two others had their sides ripped open and the vet has stitched them up. It is not certain that they will survive, although I am treating them with antibiotics and painkillers. These were all healthy beasts,” said Mr Lawson.

“The owners must have seen their dogs covered in blood and mud. We don’t think it is someone’s pet. These people could have been poaching, or something much worse, like badger baiting. The vet said he had never seen bites like them,” he added.

Both Keith and Michael said they had suffered losses from sheep worrying by dogs in the past, but they had never heard of dogs attacking cattle in the county.

“These animals suffered greatly. You could see the fang marks. I don’t want to blame any breed, but we have heard of lurcher-type dogs being crossbred with power dogs. We contacted the police, but have heard nothing, said Michael.

Millcroft Veterinary Group in Cockermouth, confirmed their emergency farm vet had been called by Mr Lawson to attend a group of yearling stirks grazing at Whitrigg.

“One animal was found dead, eviscerated and showing signs of predation. Two further stirks required surgical intervention for severe flank wounds. The graphic injuries were consistent with a dog attack. The animals are under continued veterinary care, receiving extended pain relief and the police have been informed’,” a statement said.

“What dog owners don’t realise is how much damage their animals can do, and what impact it has on us farmers, emotionally and financially.

“I am not insured because it is away from the farmstead, and I have a vet’s bill, and repairs to the wall and fence to find,” said Michael.

The case is the latest in a series of vicious dog attacks on livestock across Cumbria in recent years.

Farming leaders and police have issued repeated pleas for dog owners to keep their pets under control in the countryside.

Wildlife Officer PC Helen Branthwaite said: “Incidents such as this can be easily prevented by dog owners keeping their dogs under proper control and on a lead whenever they are anywhere in the vicinity of livestock.”

She added: “Certain breeds of dogs are capable of inflicting a high level of injury.

“Even if they do not physically attack, by being out of control they can cause livestock a great deal of distress which can lead to pregnant animals miscarrying or animals causing themselves significant injuries trying to get to safety.

“I would also warn dog owners that farmers are within their rights to shoot a dog which is out of control and worrying livestock on their land.

“Our officers take these types of offences extremely seriously and we regularly work to educate dog owners on the importance of keeping their animals under control and making sure there is no possibility of a dog escaping from the owner’s property.”

Police in Dumfriesshire are investigating a dog attack on a Scotch Mule gimmer near Orchard Farm, Ecclefechan, on Thursday or Friday of last week.The sheep had to be put down.