POLICE in West Devon are issuing a reminder to dog owners about their responsibilities.

Officers have said if you are walking your dog in a public place then it must be on a lead or under ‘close control’ — this means it will come back when called, even if distracted by another dog, animal or person.

There are also designated places, such as the Meadows, in Tavistock, where dogs must be on a lead at all times.

Police had two reports recently of dogs not properly under control.

In the first instance a lady was walking her dog at around noon on Tuesday, July 19 at Broad Park Road in Bere Alston when a black and white collie rushed at her dog.

She picked up the dog but the collie jumped up and grabbed her dog’s leg. The collie was taken away by a lady who is believed to be local and who apologised. The victim of the attack later realised her dog had an injured leg and that her own finger was injured.

If you were the lady walking the collie, please get in touch with police on 101, quoting crime reference number CR/48991/16.

Around noon the previous day, a lady was walking by the side of the River Tavy at Buckland Monachorum when a small brown and white terrier chased after her, jumping up and barking at her and generally causing her to feel intimidated.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police on 101, quoting CR/50203/16.