Larnaca police were investigating on Friday after an animal breeder reported that 74 of his animals were killed by three stray dogs in Tersefanou.

The owner of the farm told police that he found three German shepherd dogs which he believes are strays in his livestock farm early on Friday morning, Larnaca police spokesman Charis Hadjiyiasemi told the Cyprus News Agency.

He immediately alerted the relevant services of the Tersefanou community council while he attempted to contain the dogs himself but was unsuccessful.

In total 74 animals, most of them goats, were mauled by the dogs according to the complainant.

The veterinary services and members of the Kition police station rushed to the scene to record the number of dead animals, Hadjiyiasemi said.

Officers were investigating whether the dogs were strays or had escaped from a different farm.