A DOG owner has been left devastated after her two border collies were shot dead by a Leigh Sinton farmer when they fled boarding kennels while she was on holiday.

June Roden put one-year-old Millie and three-year-old Benson into Brookend Boarding Kennels but the dogs managed to escape while playing in a field.

They were then killed by a farmer who shot them in the chest to protect his livestock.

She had been on holiday with her husband Chris in Spain when she received a heartbreaking call from kennels staff informing her of the dogs’ death.

“We’re just devastated and we couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“They were just gorgeous dogs and a big part of our home life.”

An investigation has been launched by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), which is responsible for dog wardens and licensing.

Les Childs, owner of the kennels, said he was distraught by what had happened. “My wife and I are deeply upset,” he said.

“We’ve seven acres of ground here. We are still not sure how they managed to get out. It’s just been really tragic.

“60,000 dogs have used that particular field and over the eight years we’ve been here there’s been no incidents.

“I just can’t imagine how she must be feeling. They did sign to say that their dogs could go off lead and go into fields.

“They were aware that one of the dogs continually jumped the fence and they still brought their dogs to us five more times after that.

“We do everything we can to make sure the dogs are safe.”

Mrs Roden, who lives in Kidderminster, said in a previous stay at Brookend Kennels it was discovered that Millie could jump the gate in the exercise field but she came straight back when called.

She added: “I was concerned but knew, as long as they accompanied the dogs, they would not run off.”

Andy Ferguson, WRS central operations manager said: “Worcestershire Regulatory Services is investigating the events that led to the shooting.

“Once the facts have been established we will decide what action, if any, should be taken.”

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said there would not be an investigation into the farmer’s actions.