POLICE have been made aware of a number of incidents on Dartmoor involving worrying livestock — including one which resulted in a dog being shot.

The animal was shot last week on Dartmoor by the farmer after being caught chasing a flock, killing a lamb and injuring a sheep.

Tavistock PC Cathy Veale advised: ‘To protect their livestock, the farmer has the right to kill the offending dog as a last resort. The public are reminded to be responsible and maintain control of their dogs by keeping them on leads near livestock.’

If anyone sees dogs chasing livestock, call Dartmoor Livestock Protection Officer Karla McKechnie on 07873 587561.

Section 1 of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 makes it an offence for the owner of a dog to allow it to worry livestock on agricultural land. Within the act ‘worrying livestock’ means attacking or chasing livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering to the livestock or, in the case of females, abortion, or loss of or diminution in their produce, or being at large (that is to say not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep.