ESSEX Police have urged residents to keep their dogs on the leads near livestock following a rise in reported incidents.

Officers have asked dog walkers to take extra care, and reminded residents that sheep worrying is a criminal offence.

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A spokesman for Essex Police Colchester said: “We are seeing an increase in reports of people not having their dogs on leads around live stock. 

“Sheep worrying is a criminal offence, so if you are walking your dog, or new puppy, and there are other animals around, please put your dog on a lead, it is not acceptable to let your dog chase livestock. 

“While you might not think your dog has affected the animals, pregnant ewes can miscarry their lambs due to the stress of being chased. 

“Some will die from their attempts to find a safe place. 

“Keeping your dog on a lead around livestock will not only protect the animals, but help protect you from prosecution.”

It comes weeks after a farmer urged residents to keep their dogs on leads near livestock after a lamb was killed and another left fighting for its life after being mauled.

A dog managed to make its way into the field where the sheep, owned by Wormingford’s Colletts Farm Dairy, were grazing in Bures.

One young lamb was fatally wounded, whilst another suffered severe injuries.

Tim Gurton, who runs the farm with wife, Sophie, took to social media to vent his frustrations.

Mr Gurdon posted a photo of the injured lamb, saying it showed the “reality of what a family pet can do if left uncontrolled”.

Earlier this year the Essex branch of the National Farmers Union warned of a rise of fatal sheep attacks in Essex.

In March, Vanessa Bice, 40, of Gravel Pit Lane, Brantham, and Warwick Foreman, 52, of Compton Road, Colchester, admitted multiple charges relating to two out of control dogs after 11 sheep were mauled on fields around Brantham.