POLICE are probing a dog attack that left 11 lambs dead at the weekend.

Farmer David Preacher made the grim discovery near Walkerburn on Sunday morning.

As well as the dead lambs, which had been either slaughtered or drowned as they fled into the Tweed, the rest of his award-winning flock were left disturbed and distraught.

Mr Preacher said: "On Sunday morning there was total chaos and carnage with dead lambs and sheep disturbed.

"I've been here 35 years and this is the worst case I've come across."

Both Police and the farmers' union NFU Scotland have issued warnings to dog owners ahead of the lambing season.

But attacks across the country by out-of-control dogs continue.

Mr Preacher, who farms at Holylee just outside the village, added: "At this time of year people with dogs should avoid the fields where there are sheep or cows.

"If they do have to go through a field they should make sure their dog is on a lead."

Police Scotland confirmed they had received a report of lambs being killed.

A spokeswoman told us: "Our enquiries into this suspected dog attack are ongoing."