POLICE are warning dog owners to keep their pets under control after sheep were injured near Neyland recently.

Posting on Twitter, Dyfed-Powys Rural Crime Team wrote: “Dyfed Powys Rural crime team has had another report of dog worrying at Honeyborough, Neyland. Unknown dogs have chased and attacked ewes causing injury.

“We are advising owners about knowing where their dogs are at all times and keep under control near livestock.”

PC Gerwyn Davies of the Pembrokeshire Rural Crime Team, said he had previously been contacted by a local farmer raising the issue in September, with further problems reported on Monday, January 7.

Following a spate of sheep worrying incidents late last year, Dyfed-Powys Police issued advice to pet owners.

At the time, PC Gerwyn Davies said: “Sheep worrying can have a long term effect on ewes as they can lose pregnancies as a result of stress. This obviously has a negative impact on farmers who not only lose out financially, but it is also very upsetting.”

Farmers can legally shoot any dog if they believe it is the only reasonable way of stopping it worrying livestock. If your dog chases or attacks livestock you should make arrangements to contact the landowner/livestock owner.

Anyone who has information about, or wants to make a report of livestock worrying, can contact the Pembrokeshire Rural Crime Team by calling 101.

Dog owners are reminded of this advice when walking in the countryside:

• Do not allow your dog to enter a field on its own and keep it under your control at all times.

• Keep your dog on a lead when crossing through fields that contain livestock.

• Stick to public right of ways.

When at home:

• Make sure you know where your dog is at all times.

• Ensure that your property is secure and that your dog cannot escape day or night.

• If you know your dog has previously chased or attacked sheep then take responsible measures to prevent it happening again.