A distraught pet owner has criticised a farmer who shot her dog dead for killing two chickens.

Martina Linch, of Easthorpe Road, Easthorpe, has questioned his action.

Her husky was found dead on land in a different village just before Easter.

A police investigation revealed a farmer had shot the dog because it had killed two of his chickens and they notified Mrs Linch of the incident.

Officers have confirmed there will be no prosecutions.

But Mrs Linch said: "I find it hard to believe that it is considered acceptable behaviour to arbitrarily take up a lethal weapon and use it in a residential neighbourhood.

"I had taken all reasonable steps to prevent my dog from roaming and had installed a six foot fence around the perimeter of my garden, but she obviously had a nature to roam."

She said she regretted the incident but felt the chickens were kept near to the road and not penned in and proved a temptation to animals.

Sgt Martin Piper, of Tiptree Police, said: "We are aware of an incident and it was investigated.

"As far as we are aware the dog was found straying on a farmer's land and had killed some of his chickens.

"People cannot just go round shooting dogs but if it is worrying livestock then the owner of that land has the power to shoot in those circumstances.

"Mrs Linch was extremely upset and I can't blame her but it is clear the dog was worrying livestock."

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