Two sheep have been killed and two extra have been euthanised because of the accidents they sustained following a canine assault on farmland in Moreton-in-Marsh within the Cotswolds.

Gloucestershire Constabulary stated at present (Monday, April 24) that two canines had been seen chasing sheep on the web site on Thursday morning (April 20).

The canine house owners have agreed to financially cowl the prices of the loss, with the pressure saying the incident serves as a “well timed reminder of the harm and struggling” that canine assaults can inflict on livestock.

The pressure has used the incident to remind canine house owners to maintain their pets underneath management to forestall sheep and livestock worrying.

“It’s essential to guarantee a subject or space has no livestock in it earlier than letting your canine off lead. It’s the regulation to maintain your canine underneath management and the accountability falls with the proprietor,” Gloucestershire Constabulary stated.

“Permitting a canine to fret or assault livestock is a legal offence underneath the Canine (Safety of Livestock) Act 1953.”

The pressure stated sheep signify a farmer’s earnings and “are sometimes value a considerable sum”.

“If they’re attacked or killed, the loss that farmers face can go away them considerably out of pocket,” it stated.

“Sheep worrying can embrace canines attacking animals bodily, operating after them or chasing the sheep round, particularly when they’re carrying lambs or there are younger lambs throughout the flock.

“Canine faeces left on grazing land can also carry illness which might kill sheep and have an effect on unborn lambs.”

As a final resort, landowners are in a position to shoot a canine which they imagine is worrying sheep, the pressure warned, however “no one needs to see this end result”.

Gloucestershire Constabulary supplied recommendation for house owners when strolling their canines in rural areas:

  • All the time guarantee your canine is underneath management in an space the place there are livestock or wild animals;
  • Be notably vigilant throughout lambing season and all the time maintain canines on a lead throughout this time;
  • In case your canine will not be good with different animals or individuals, keep away from letting them off their lead when others are round;
  • Don’t permit individuals who might not be assured in doing so or have full management over the animal to stroll your canine;
  • Keep in mind the place there could also be no livestock in a subject sooner or later, the identical location might be filled with animals the subsequent.