(Original headline: Mystery Beast )
Nature reserve wardens are perplexed.
But rumours of a big cat are quickly put to rest.
It is not the big cat everyone is talking about, said reserve warden Peter Burton.
The most likely explanation for the deaths is a killer dog.
A number of sheep have been attacked, said Mr Burton. It could be the same dog, we just do not know.
In the last few weeks thirteen sheep have been savaged and left dying on sand dunes in the nature reserve.
Some were found alive and had to be put down. And the cost of the serial sheep killer is rising.
So far the clean up bill for Sandscale Haws farmers is £1,000.
Today the National Trust said it was likely one dog could be behind the killings.
Mr Burton said the owner would know if his dog had been involved as it would have been splattered with blood.
A gruesome image of one of the killings has been put up by the National Trust to remind owners of the dangers of letting their dogs loose.
Wardens have also increased the number of patrols round the beauty spot to cut the problem.
