THREE dogs that have been killing livestock around the Blakeshill Nature Reserve in Cricklade have been shot dead by farmers.

For the past two weeks police have been receiving reports of three small terrier dogs killing sheep and new-born baby lambs. In total 14 animals were killed by the dogs on two different farms.

The creatures were also spotted by residents in the Leigh area. Police originally tried to trace the owners without success.

PC Phil Elliott, of Cricklade police, said: "We now think they were feral but they have been shot and we haven't had a problem since. It has all been resolved now."