Martin Clunes reveals horror moment his two puppies attacked a lamb on his farm
Martin Clunes had to save a lamb from the brutal attack as he struggled to adjust to the two Jack Russells he adopted.
Martin Clunes had to save a lamb from a brutal attack by his two Jack Russell dogs.
The 64-year-old actor felt awful after convincing his wife Philippa Braithwaite, a producer on Doc Martin, that it was a good idea to adopt two puppies to replace late pooch Jim, but things took a disastrous turn.
Speaking to Woman's Weekly, Martin admitted his "mistake was getting two puppies at the same time", as they had "littermate syndrome" meaning they operated as a pack and ignored their owners.
The pups caused issues on the couple's Dorset farm, killing deer and attacking a lamb, who Martin saved just in time.
He said: "I was horrified because I knew of all the farms with stock, like next door's sheep, and it was like a ticking clock.
"The ewes and baby lambs were going to be out soon in neighbouring fields, and that just would have been carnage.
"My first hated John and Murray for a time. And I felt so guilty because I was the one who insisted on getting them! They were trashing this very peaceful idyll we had created."
Martin felt a "massive sense of guilt" after insisting on getting two pooches, which was the cause of the problems.
He added: "As the trainer pointed out later, they were listening to each other as opposed to listening to us. It was desperate."
The couple eventually enlisted the help of trainer Ingrid Grayling, and they were put on a strict routine where Martin and Philippa would each have one puppy for half an hour, four times a day.
The actor's Wuthering Heights commitments meant his wife was left training both dogs for eight hours a day, but they have come out the other side in a much better position.
Martin has even penned a book about their ordeal called Training John Murray to help others in a similar position.
He said: "Ingrid [the dog trainer] has given us exactly what she promised: these two amazing little dogs that stick with me.
"So I guess it feels even more of a triumph, having been to hell and back."
