Fife farmers are counting the cost of a savage dog attack on their sheep flock which has left nine dead.
The bloodthirsty attack, which is being investigated by police, happened near Strathmiglo between Saturday morning and 4pm on Sunday.
The case has left farmers in the area both angry and fearful of a recurrence.
Neil and Jacqui Brand, of AA & J Brand, Nether Myres, Auchtermuchty, lost the lambs in the attack which took place on rented grazing land nearby.
Dead and injured sheep, aged around six months, were scattered across a 60-acre field leading the Brands to believe that more than one dog might have been responsible for the carnage.
“There were four sheep already dead when we were called and my husband Neil has since had to put down another five,” Mrs Brand said.
“It is something no farmer should have to do. Some of the lambs which were still alive had their faces mauled and their ears bitten off. It was a really dreadful sight.”
Mrs Brand continued: “We contacted the police just after the sheep were found at 4pm on Sunday but they didn’t arrive on the farm until Monday at 3pm.
“The trail was cold by that time but we are hoping that members of the public will be able to provide information.”
The field runs alongside the public footpath between Reedieleys Farm and Strathmiglo on a route well-used by dog walkers and others.
Mrs Brand added: “Our hope is that somebody saw something. The dog or dogs responsible must have been covered with blood.”
Mr Brand said that with recent high-profile attacks by dogs on children, he hoped this would be a reminder that dog owners must keep control of their animals.
A police spokesman appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.
“This was a tragic incident and very distressing. However, there were no witnesses,” he said.
“It could have happened over an extended period with potentially 36 hours between the time the owner saw the sheep and the time they became aware of them.
“We would appeal for witnesses and remind people to keep their dogs under control when in the company of sheep.”
Last week a similar attack was reported in Dumfries and Galloway where 25 sheep were injured in a suspected dog attack, leaving 12 of them dead.
The attack happened at West Scales Farm at Rigg, near Gretna, some time overnight between Thursday October 31 and Friday.