When out enjoying the countryside, it’s best to keep dogs on leads around any livestock, the police advise.

As people start to go out and about again, an increasing danger is that dogs off leads will worry sheep and other livestock. This is especially worrying as lambing season will soon be in full swing.

Police warn that livestock worrying is a criminal offence and the penalty can be six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £1,000.

Sgt Greg Fergusson, Rural Crime Lead at Wiltshire Police, said: “We want all dog owners to help us to protect livestock in Wiltshire by putting dogs on leads. It can be traumatic for farmers who have to deal with the aftermath of an incident, not to mention the financial impacts.

“Whether your dog is large or small, naughty, or well-behaved, the message is simple: Your dog, your duty. Keep your dog on a lead when you are near livestock. You can’t assume your dog’s good nature means it won’t chase or attack livestock. If your dog’s natural instinct to chase livestock kicks in, it could be too late before you realise anything is wrong.

“Sometimes when entering a field, you may only be able to see a small part of it. So, be 100% sure before you go in that no livestock are out of sight, maybe over the brow of a hill.

“We want people to enjoy the countryside, using public rights of way with a dog, but using common sense. Use a lead if there is livestock around and don’t deviate from the footpaths as, potentially, it could be trespassing.”

Livestock worrying is traditionally thought of as a dog biting/attacking livestock, but it also means chasing livestock to cause injury or suffering. In the case of ewes, this includes abortion or loss or reduction in the number of offspring she gives birth to.