AN 80-year-old man has surrendered five of his dogs after his terriers ran amok and killed and injured sheep on three different farms in rural Radnorshire.

Ronald William Robinson, from Pantydwr, near Rhayader, admitted three counts of being the owner of a dog worrying livestock when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court this week.

The incidents took place on February 9 this year at Alltllyd Farm, Hendrerhiw Farm and Cefn-Llech Farm.

Prosecutor Stephen Davies told magistrates on Wednesday, November 9, that the attacks happened at around 4pm.

He said: “Steven Hughes and Norman Williams were dredging and injecting sheep at Elwyn Price’s farm.

“When they released the last batch, they heard dogs barking in a field behind farmhouse and they saw one ewe being singled out by black dog, while a second terrier type dog was running over the hill towards Ronald Robinson’s house.

“The black dog was seen grabbing hold and biting the head of one ewe, it suffered wounds to the face and jaw, while one ewe nearby was dead. They entered another field and could see the dog attacking another ewe before running off.”

Mr Davies said Mr Hughes chased one dog across three fields on a quad bike.

Another dead ewe was later found and the men visited Robinson’s Cae Cethin smallholding where 4-5 terriers were found in a cage.

“One witness saw a dog with blood on his head and said it was responsible, which is when Ronald Robinson became defensive,” said Mr Davies.

After being spoken to by police in March, Robinson agreed to surrender five of his dogs to the Dogs Trust.

“Farmer David Williams said Ronald Robinson’s dogs had killed a number of sheep over the years and escaped regularly, which always resulted in sheep being killed,” said Mr Davies.

Representing Robinson, Owain Jones said: “Dogs are his life, they keep him company in a rural part of the countryside, but he knows he needs to do better.

“He is not in good health himself, he has a poor memory and is a vulnerable adult.”

Robinson was fined £80 for each offence and must pay £85 costs and a £34 surcharge. He was also ordered to pay a veterinary bill of £398.49 which had to be paid to treat and euthanise the sheep.