A SHEEP was killed and at least two others hurt in an attack by dogs near Stonehouse.
The sheep worrying near the town's border with rural Standish deeply distressed the farmer who owns the sheep, police said.
"This was a very sad incident in which one ewe has died and others have been injured," said Sgt Simon Clemett, wildlife and rural crime officer with Gloucestershire Constabulary.
"The flock is still being inspected and the owners are understandably extremely upset by the experience," Sgt Clemett said.
Police were called to the farm in Standish last week after reports that three dogs were attacking sheep in a field.
Officers searched the area and found two Staffordshire Bull Terriers on the loose.
"They were believed to be the main aggressors. They were returned to their owner," police spokesman Chris Jackson said. "The third dog, a German Shepherd, was found dead close to rail tracks in the area.
" He had been with the other dogs but was not believed to be one of the aggressors.
"The owners of that dogs has been informed."
A vet was called to treat the injured sheep.
Police had indicated to the terriers' owners that they would later be interviewing them under caution.
Officers took photographs of the injured sheep and were talking to the farmers to decide what action should be taken.
Sgt Clemett added: "We take cases like this very seriously and are currently putting up special signs produced in conjunction with Gloucestershire County Council warning dog owners to keep their pets on leads.
"Our Rural Watch scheme is tackling rural and environmental issues throughout Gloucestershire," he said.
More information on how to join Rural Watch can be found on the Gloucestershire police website at gloucestershire.police.uk/