Dog owners are being warned to keep their pet on leads when walking near a farm due to several sheep being attacked and injured.

Since the beginning of February police have attended two separate incidents of “sheep worrying” at Woodoaks Farm, in Maple Cross.

PC Christian Gottmann, from the Rickmansworth Safer Neighbourhood Team, warned: “Under the Dogs Protection of Livestock Act 1953, if a dog worries sheep on agricultural land, the person in charge of the dog is guilty of an offence.

“It is crucial that you keep your dog on a lead around livestock, even if you can usually trust it to come when called.

“If you live in or near an agricultural area, you must make sure that your dog cannot escape from your property as it may find its way onto land containing sheep.”

Anyone who witnesses similar incidents is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, noting descriptions of the dog involved and its owner.

People can also report information online at: www.herts.police.uk/Report