POLICE are trying to trace the owner of dogs who savaged a pregnant ewe near Holne on Dartmoor.

The Valentine's Day attack left the mauled animal so badly injured that it had to be put down.

Officers are appealing to all dog owners to keep them on leads - and they particularly want to hear from anyone who may have seen the February 14 incident.

More than 150 livestock-worrying crimes were reported across Devon and Cornwall last year.

Attacks are especially common during the lambing season.

PC Phil Johnson from the Teignmouth Crime Hub said this afternoon: ‘The dogs responsible were being walked off the lead in the area - and therefore the owner was not in control. We are urging this person to come forward.’

He appealed to anyone with information to call police on 101, quoting crime number CR/011095/17.