Farmer shot my dog in a field

A DOG owner whose boxer cross was shot dead by a farmer has spoken of her shock.

Sarah Benson, 25, who works at Gables Farm Dogs and Cats Home in Plympton, was walking on a bridleway in Yealmpton when her rescue dog Chance disappeared into a hedge.

Farmer Norman Spry said he shot the animal because it was bothering his cattle but she denies this.

Sarah said she was with her boyfriend Damian Howard and her two dogs at around 3pm on Saturday, October 4 when Chance disappeared for five minutes.

She said: "I heard a dog barking and then a gun shot and that's when the cows started making noise."

Sarah said the couple ran in to a field of a cattle and saw Chance but he was 'nowhere near' the other animals.

Sarah said: "I called him and he tried to come back to me and then the farmer shot him in the head.

"I just couldn't believe it. I saw it but it didn't really register.

"He was a fantastic dog, he loved children and everybody."

However, Yealmpton farmer Mr Spry said he shot the dog because it was "definitely chasing the cattle", some of which were in calf.

He said: "There's no doubt about it, the dog was not under control and the owner was nowhere in sight – and I could see at least 100 yards down the valley."

Mr Spry said he initially went down to the field and chased a dog away after hearing it barking.

He said: "I came back up to the house and then he was at it again so I got my gun and shot it.

"There's a lot of emphasis being put on this dog but what about the cattle?"

Sarah called the police and a local beat officer attended the scene.

A police spokesman said there were no independent witnesses and, as it was deemed a civil matter rather than a criminal offence, there would be no further police action.