Ann Harding, of Collymore Rock, St Michael, is claiming that three dogs kept in her neighbourhood are a threat to the community. She said the dogs, two pit bulls and an akita, are let loose and are not supervised.

Last Thursday evening she said her two sons, Mykal and Mekail Harding, were present when a pregnant Black Belly sheep was attacked.

"We were in the Hazlewoods field, along with our father and two other girls, when the dogs came around the corner and attacked the sheep," said ten-year-old Mykal.

He said his father Michael Harding managed to scare off the dogs, but not before they had almost severed the sheep's lip.

Ann said she called the police, but no-one showed up. She said a representative from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals picked up the sheep.

She recalled another incident where her husband was outside mixing cement and had to run inside.

However, one of the dogs' owners, who did not want to reveal her identity, said the animals were only let loose when they were being fed, and accused the children of throwing stones at them.

"I have had them from puppies and they don't interfere with anyone unlesssomebody troubles them first. The other day they were in there and somebody poisoned them and I had to take them to the vet," she said.

Ann and Mykal denied any involvement.

Sharon Holder also has a problem with the dogs. Her daughter, Samantha Parris, was attacked last year: "Mekail was giving her a piggyback ride home when the dogs, puppies then, knocked her over and knicked her in the hip," she said.

Although the wound was not serious, Parris took the attack very seriously and called the police. At the time she was told the dogs were licensed and did not bite.

She said Samantha was among the group when the sheep was attacked and came home crying. She said the owners told her to keep her child out of the back as she lived on the front road. (CA)