Six pregnant sheep were left dead in a shocking dog attack at a popular tourist spot.

The attack by an Alsatian on Moel Famau farmer Tom Parry’s flock has sparked calls for more signs to be erected urging dog walkers to keep their pets on leads in the mountain area.

Mr Parry reported Saturday’s attack to Denbighshire Council’s environment cabinet member Tony Thomas.

Another farmer – and Llanbedr county councillor, Huw Williams – helped Mr Parry’s son in the aftermath  of the attack and helped secure the dog.

The matter wasn’t reported to the police but the owner of the dog agreed to pay £900 compensation to the farmer

Mr Parry, said: “People will think that it’s a vicious dog but it’s not. It’s just a normal family pet but I’d like people to realise what they can actually do when they see and chase sheep.”

Cllr Huw Williams, whose ward covers part of the mountain, revealed how he and other neighbours helped to trap and catch the dog and  bring the attack to an end after they were called out to help on the mountain.

He said: “Even though it was a difficult situation we’ve come away with some positives in that a young dog has been spared from being put down. And the owners have promised to send it off to be trained. Six sheep were killed but we don’t really know how many more were injured and the ewes were heavily in lamb and we don’t know if they will be aborting in the future.”

The council’s environment leader Tony Thomas said owners need to be aware of the dangers of letting dogs off their leads.

He added: “We have been working on a campaign across the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the wider Denbighshire countryside to encourage dog owners to keep their animals on a lead. It’s all about changing attitudes and behaviours.

“We believe we have seen positive improvements from many dog walkers, with more dogs being kept on leads and those wanting their dogs to be able to be exercised off lead walking through the forest instead of the open grazed hill.  However, unfortunately, as in the incident at the weekend you only need one dog to be off lead out of control around sheep to have a devastating impact.

“Over the holiday period we understand that many people will be heading out to enjoy walks in the countryside but we ask them to please remember to be a responsible owner and keep their dog on a lead to protect the livestock and their dogs.”

Rob Taylor, manager of the North Wales Police rural crime team, said: "Since the formation of the Rural Crime Team in 2013 we identified an issue with livestock attacks by dogs and particularly involving sheep, so we voluntarily began recording the data.

"Currently there is no requirement by the Home Office for the police to do so.

"Within a short space of time we identified a significant issue and suggested this was also an UK issue and not just North Wales.

"Four other forces were requested to also produce data which did infact replicate that of North Wales as suggested. A UK police priority working group was established, with key partners, to tackle the issue, chaired by Rob Taylor. T

"his working group has presented on several occasions to a select committee of Lords and  Mps at Westminster with the key aim of raising awareness and updating the current antiquated 1953 livestock act through parliament . This is ongoing work. 

"As a team we robustly deal with offending owners of dogs and we have seen several sadly euthanized under court orders when they have carried out repeat attacks.

"Despite a significant amount of work and publicity the attacks continue and we regularly deal with the horror of one on a weekly and sometimes daily basis.

"This is about responsible dog ownership and until the message gets through or the law is changed, sadly they will continue and the attacks will occur."