A HAMPSHIRE equestrian was in court after her savage dogs launched a ferocious attack on an enclosure of sheep.

Former Olympic hopeful Charlotte Springall’s labradors “mauled and maimed” a family’s sheep which left one witness fearing the animals would “die right in front of her eyes.”

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that the dogs, called Strife and Jemmima, savaged the sheep in an enclosure, belting out waves of “frenzied barking”.

Joanne Ingram, who witnessed the “bloodbath”, said: “I was going to put the kettle on and I could hear this barking. It wasn’t normal dog barking...it was frightening.

“I ran outside to get a better idea of what was going happening and when I got to the enclosure I chased the two dogs away.”

Ms Ingram added: “I went inside and the sheep were cowering in the corner. There was blood all over the sheep - their fleece and throats were in tatters with blood running all down their legs.”

Springall, a self confessed “animal lover”, was close to qualifying for London 2012 but had her dreams dashed after her horse Folds Gretna Vow died in unexplained circumstances.

The 41-year-old, who lives in Giles Lane, Landford, told the court she had travelled the world in her profession, which included teaching a Middle Eastern sheik.

The incident took place on May 22, 2016 in Compton Drive, Romsey.

Representing Hampshire Constabulary, Lucy Conroy told the court that the two dogs had belonged to Springall and that they had escaped from the defendant’s property that day - something Springall vehemently denied, although she did admit her dogs had escaped previously.

Whilst in the witness box, Springall said “she did not walk the dogs” as she had “a garden big enough for them”.

There were two further charges of owning a dog dangerously out of control made against Springall.

These included her dogs roaming the streets unaided in Landford and barking “frighteningly and viciously” at Vanessa Smith, in Romsey.

District Judge Greenfield found in favour of Hampshire Constabulary and ordered Springall to use a lead and a muzzle when walking Strife.

Springall was also ordered to pay £250 costs.