POLICE are reminding dog owners to keep their pets under control and remember to follow the Country Code with the lambing season approaching.

A police spokeswoman said: “With the weather forecast slowly improving, we know people will start to venture out for more walks.

“But with lambing season now under way, we are appealing to the public to be responsible and keep their dogs under control.”

PC Katy Drabble from the Rural Crime Team said: “Last year we saw quite a few cases of sheep worrying and that term doesn’t always reflect the devastation caused in some cases.

“In addition to the impact of actual dog attacks, sheep are highly-strung animals and in lambing season any stress caused to a pregnant ewe can cause them to lose their lambs.”

NFU Mutual estimated that more than 18,500 livestock were killed or injured in dog attacks in 2015. The cost to farmers was estimated at £1.1m a rise of 35% on the previous year.