A DOG attack in which a two-week-old lamb was killed has sparked warnings to owners to keep their dogs under control when out walking.

The incident occurred at West Hook Farm on March 22 at around 12.30pm.

The farmland adjoins the Forestry Commission's Abbeyford Woods, a popular exercise ground for dogs in the Okehampton area.

The farm has been run by the same family for the last 80 years.

Farmer's wife Ruth Maile said she was saddened by the recent attack.

She said: 'We had put 70 lambs and 35 sheep out on the Sunday morning and they had only been in the field for 24 hours.

'I happened to notice a sheep running by and as soon as saw it, I knew there was something wrong.

'The sheep were running up to one corner of the field and then I saw a black labrador.

'I kept calm and called the dog and it came up close to me, but then it ran off and went back towards the woods.'

Mrs Maile said she decided to drive to the car park of the woods to wait to see if she could see the dog.

'I eventually saw a man coming towards me with the black lab, it was the same dog as it had the same collar.

'I told him what had happened and he offered to come back to the farm to inspect the animals.

'I could see the lamb lying on the ground and it was seriously damaged with extensive injuries.

'The owner of the dog was very surprised and he gave me his details as he wasn't from the area.

'We have received a cheque from the owner.'

Mrs Maile said dog owners must be made more aware when out walking.

She said: 'We have a lot of wildlife up here in the woods, including foxes, badgers and birds and there are many different scents that would excite dogs.

'We work night and day during the lambing season and we look after them like babies.

'We don't put them out until they are big and strong — this lamb was two weeks old — it wasn't weak.'

In January 2009 ten sheep were viciously attacked at West Hook Farm, an incident which left one dead and four injured. Five lambs were later put down due to their horrific injuries.

Mrs Maile added: 'It can't go on and we need to let the public know.

'Dog owners need to be responsible, if they are going to let their dog off its lead, then they need to keep them in sight at all times.

'People don't ever think their dog would attack, but I'm sorry to say you just never know.

'The last thing we want to do is shoot someone's pet, but this is our livelihood.'

Last year the Forestry Commission put up signs to urge walkers to be more aware.

Area forester for West Devon Martin Webb said: 'People are required to make sure their pets are under their control — if people cannot see their pets, they cannot control their behaviour.

'Dogs are essentially pack animals and may attack sheep and other livestock if they come across them.

'The large majority of dog walkers at Abbeyford Wood are extremely responsible and their pets are well behaved.

'However, there is this small minority that are letting their dogs run around completely unsupervised that are causing the problem.

'These people should realise that farmers have the right to shoot dogs if they are attacking their animals, so they are putting their own dogs at great risk if they let them out of sight.'

Mr Webb said Abbeyford Wood was extremely popular with local dog walkers.

He added: 'We have no desire to ban dogs from coming to the woods.

'We are asking our regular users to help by letting us and the police know if they see any unsupervised pets running around, or witness any irresponsible behaviour by dog owners.

'We will also be stepping up our own patrols.'