Rumours have been circulating the town in recent weeks that the so-called 'Beast of Ballybogey' has returned to the borough after four separate incidents of sheep being killed in the past month.

The most recent occurred on Thursday when five animals were mauled on farmland on the outskirts of the town.

They were said to have sustained "horrendous injuries" including having their ribcages ripped out and chunks of flesh torn from their bodies.
But Ballymoney Borough Council officials have played down the big cat whispers, instead apportioning the blame to dogs roaming freely in the borough.

A spokesperson for the council said: "In my opinion this is the work of a dog or dogs.

"It looks like the attack on the five sheep was done by a large breed of dog as the ewes were quite big."

While Thursday's incident occurred on the Bann Road, the other three took place in the Bendooragh area of the borough.

The attacks reignite memories of similar incidents involving an illusive 'big cat' in the area four years ago.

In 2003 police marksmen and a helicopter were drafted in after several eyewitness reports of what many believed to be a black panther roaming freely in the countryside.

The animal was said to be about the same size as an Alsatian dog - but more muscular and much faster.

The council official said the big cat theory was "unlikely" and instead appealed to dog owners to keep track of their animal's movements and for famers to remain vigilant.

"Ballymoney Borough Council has received four complaints of alleged sheep worrying in the last two months," she said.

"The most recent was on the Bann Road, Ballymoney a short distance from the Agivey bridge.

"During this attack in the hours of darkness two sheep were killed. Three sheep were subsequently humanely put to sleep due to their horrendous injuries including huge gaping wounds, legs almost completely bitten off and ribcages pulled apart . One actually had its stomach and intestines ripped out.

"One other is still fairly badly injured but is managing to survive with treatment. Several others have more minor injuries.
"In this instance we may be looking for more than one dog and I believe it would be a large breed due to the size of wounds.

"This incident and the others recently reported could have been avoided. They are as a direct result of irresponsible dog ownership. "Dogs must be kept under control at all times including day and night. I must point out that the majority of dog owners are responsible."

The spokesperson said the consequences of sheep worrying include the sizeable financial implications to farmers and the trauma of seeing their livestock mutilated.

She also said she was aware of reports that two dogs were shot, possibly by a farmer, following a recent incident in the past fortnight, but added council officials were still actively pursuing the animal or animals responsible for the most recent two incidents.

She added: "The dogs concerned in this recent incident more than likely returned home in a filthy condition and possibly covered in blood.

"If readers have any information they can approach us in the strictest confidence. I would ask all dog owners to be responsible therefore putting an end to these dreadful incidents."