RESCUE centre worker Darren Hunt has vowed to kill dogs that attack his beloved animals.

Mr Hunt says he is at the end of his tether with dog owners who allow their pets to get on to his family's land overlooking the Fleet, near Weymouth.

Although an animal lover, Mr Hunt says he will be forced to kill the next trespassing dog that goes on the attack.

Mr Hunt helps his parents John and Ann run the Pirates Cove Birds of Prey and Animal Rescue Centre at the bottom of Pirates Lane, Wyke Regis.

Over the last three years there have been numerous attacks by dogs running amok on the land, even though the family has spent thousands of pounds on fencing.

Mr Hunt, 36, said enough was enough, after a dog terrorised his snowy owl Angel, and he learned that a ram attacked by dogs last year may have to be put down. He said: "It is getting out of hand. Small dogs are managing to get on to the land and recently someone deliberately cut a hole in the fence. I think I may have to kill the next dog I see attacking the animals.

"I have a right to do it and I want people to be aware. I'm prepared to jump in the van and run them over if I have to. It's either that or bring a hunting falcon on to the land.

"The area is popular with dog walkers and I have no problem with that. I know some of them and they are nice people.

"But there are others who don't care what their dogs do. They let them off the lead in Pirates Lane without thinking. All I'm asking is for people to keep their dogs on a lead when they go past. The work we do here is special but that could all be put at risk by a few mindless individuals."

PC Andy Marsh of West Weymouth police said Mr Hunt had a right to kill dogs that attacked his animals. He said: "We would ask dog owners to be mindful and keep pets away from the centre."