AN INJURED sheep is the latest victim of livestock worrying and attacks by dogs.

Police have urged dog owners to keep their pets under control and released a picture of a sheep covered in blood.

Last year Dorset Police received 36 reported incidents and said most owners were shocked and said their dogs had "never done anything like that before."

A spokesman for the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team said: "This is 36 times dog owners have failed to have their dogs under their close control near livestock and did not consider what their dogs may do.

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"We are three months in to 2021 and we have already seen 14 reports of livestock worrying or attacks and it appears that some of these reports have been from dogs which have escaped their owners' gardens.

"Please check the perimeter of your garden fences and check that these are secure. If fences aren’t up to scratch, please rectify any areas of concerns immediately and until this has been done don’t let the dog outside unsupervised."

NFU Mutual statistics reveal the cost of dog attacks on farm animals increased by more than 10 per cent in 2020 to an estimated £1.3m.

Police have also stressed that livestock worrying is a criminal offence.

Offences include chasing livestock in a way which may be reasonably expected to cause injury or suffering. In the case of ewes, this includes abortion or loss or reduction in the number of offspring she has.

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Others include not having a dog on a lead or under close control when close to livestock.

The penalty for livestock worrying can be six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £1000.

Officers have urged dog owners to be responsible and stressed it is currently lambing season.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious is asked to call Dorset Police on 101 or, if an offence is in progress, call 999.

Police have also offered to provide warning signs for farms or small holdings which have footpaths crossing their land.

Any Dorset farmers who want some signs are asked to email ruralcrimeteam@dorset.pnn.police.uk, including their email address and how many sings they need.