67 sheep killed in Germany when dogs frighten them into path of freight train

67 sheep killed by train collision in Germany

BERLIN — Police say 67 sheep died when a pair of dogs attacked them and sent them fleeing into the path of a freight train in southwestern Germany.

Federal police say no humans were injured in the incident near Freiburg at 4:30 a.m. Monday.

Their investigation quickly pointed to two dogs seen at the site — and officials found that at least one sheep had been bitten to death by the animals.

The dogs’ attack prompted the sheep to break out of their pen in a panic, running toward a railway line and the oncoming train. The driver hit the brakes but couldn’t avoid the sheep.

Police said the dogs — a husky and a mongrel — already had attacked sheep nearby in January. Their owners face an investigation and likely damages claims.