Woman in court after lambs injured in dog attack

A woman has pleaded not guilty to a charge of worrying livestock in connection with a dog attack in the Yorkshire Dales in which three lambs were injured.

On Thursday, York Magistrates' Court was told that Payton Eastham, 26, and co-accused Ryan Iveson had been camping in Worton Bottoms with two dogs on 31 May when the incident happened.

Ms Eastham, of Breconbar, Bainbridge, denied the charge and was told to return to the same court for trial in November.

Mr Iveson, 32, of South Parade, Northallerton, did not attend the hearing and his case was adjourned until 19 September.

Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, told York Magistrates' Court that the two dogs, a Staffy XL Bully cross and a Rottweiler Husky cross, had not been on a lead or muzzled.

The dogs had crossed a river to reach the field the lambs were in before chasing and injuring them, Ms Tyrer added.

While there was no CCTV in the area, a witness said they had seen two dogs attacking the lambs and had informed the farmer, the court heard.

Defence solicitor Stephen Andrews said Ms Eastham accepted she was there with her Staffy XL Bully cross.

However, he told the court that only one dog had chased and injured the lambs and it was "not hers".

Ms Eastham is due back for trial at York Magistrates' Court on 20 November.

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