On this day in Yorkshire 1952

TWO killer dogs are roaming the moors round Pen-y-ghent and up to this morning had killed or maimed 80 lambs.

Yesterday 100 farmers, shepherds and gamekeepers made a drive, their fourth, to capture or shoot the marauders.

As they searched the moors yesterday they found the bodies of 20 lambs and one ewe savaged. Most of the lambs are around Cosh, a desolate moorland farm. The biggest sufferer is Mr. J. Morphet, of High Birkwith.

The dogs struck within a mile of Horton-in-Ribblesdale on Tuesday night. One of the dogs is believed to have been loose around the countryside for nearly month. It has now teamed up with a second, and the killings have started.

This is the time when most of the ewes and lambs are put on to the moors for summering, but farmers are keeping them in the home pastures until the two dogs have been accounted for.

Portable radio

Mr. J. Lambert, gamekeeper, of Dale Head, near Stainforth, and Mr. R. W. Morphet, of Newland House, Horton are in charge of the hunters. Last night they appealed for assistance from farmers, gamekeepers, shepherds and sportsmen.

Portable radio telephones are being provided and manned by schoolboys, and it is understood that the assistance of an R.A.F. mountain rescue unit is being sought.

Farmers from further afield are being asked to turn out to save the lambs and flocks of these North Ribblesdale farmers.

The organisers appeal lor volunteers to help in another drive this morning.

Four assembly points have been fixed — Horton-ln-Ribblesdale, Beckermonds, Halton Gill and Oughtershaw.

The start will be 10 o’clock.

Search through our archive papers and much more at the http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk