Dog owner convicted again after sheep killed in Christmas Day attack

Pregnant ewes died after two dogs chased livestock in Northamptonshire

Three sheep died and several unborn lambs were lost following the attack.
Author: Emma SmithPublished 6th May 2026

A Northamptonshire dog owner has been convicted for a second time after his dogs chased and attacked sheep.

Jose Lopez-Vidal, 63, from Woodford Halse, admitted two counts of livestock worrying after his dogs attacked a flock of pregnant ewes near Preston Capes and Charwelton on Christmas Day 2025.

Three sheep died and several unborn lambs were lost following the attack.

A landowner who witnessed the incident shot one of the dogs after being unable to stop the attack.

Lopez-Vidal had previously been convicted of similar offences in 2024.

He was ordered to pay more than £6,600 in compensation and has now been made subject to a one-year Community Protection Notice requiring his dogs to be kept on leads in public and away from livestock fields.