POLICE are today still keeping a close eye on a country lane where dogs were let loose off their leads to savage geese and chickens and attack other animals at a farm.

POLICE are today still keeping a close eye on a country lane where dogs were let loose off their leads to savage geese and chickens and attack other animals at a farm.

The culprits have not yet been caught but officers are monitoring the site at Trimley St Mary – while parish councillors have agreed to put up signs to tell people to keep their pets on the leash.

Trimley beat officer Pc Dave Gledhill said a number of visits had been made to Cordys Lane and these would continue.

"There have been no further problems since the publicity about the incidents and the council took the matter up, but we will keep patrolling that area," he said.

"The woman whose animals were attacked has been in touch to thank us for what we have been able to do so far and to say that she has now replaced the birds which were killed.

"If we find someone letting their dog off the lead at the parking area in Cordys Lane the matter will be dealt with."

Farmer's wife Jo Fox said she now felt like she was "living in a prison" because the family had had to put wire mesh fencing up all around their garden to stop dogs from getting in and harming the livestock following a series of incidents.

All her geese were killed and a number of chickens, and ducks and a miniature pony attacked – as was Mrs Fox as she tried to intervene in one incident when a dog ran amok, but she was not injured – when dogs have run into the garden of Searson's Farm, Cordys Lane, Trimley St Mary, next to the pond.

She has the right to shoot any dog which attacks livestock under ancient laws but said she could not bring herself to do that.

She has appealed to dog owners to keep their pets on a lead until they at least get past the farm and down the track leading to the nature reserve and the Fagbury Cliff viewpoint over the Port of Felixstowe.

Mrs Fox was particularly upset at the attacks because lots of people visit the pond to feed the ducks, and look at the goats and chickens, including many mums with toddlers.

Police say the "totally unacceptable" problem stems from irresponsible dog owners pulling up in cars, pushing their dogs out to foul instead of walking them, and waiting in the vehicles until they returned.

Trimley St Mary Parish Council has agreed to put up notices warning that dogs should be kept on leads should be put up at the parking area near the farm and these should be in place soon.

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