DOG dog owners are being reminded that their pets can injure livestock during the peak lambing season.

The South East branch of the Country Land and Business Association said livestock worrying can have serious effects on animals.

The branch represents thousands of landowners, farmers and businesses in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

Rural adviser Megan Lock said: “We would advise owners to keep their dogs on a lead when walking through fields of livestock, particularly sheep at this time of year, and to always stick to public rights of ways.”

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Ms Lock added: "It is the owner’s responsibility to keep their dog under control and we are also raising awareness about the potential consequences of not doing so. Livestock worrying is a criminal offence and a fine of £1,000 can be handed out.

“It is important that every instance of livestock worrying is reported to the police.

"This will allow for a more accurate picture of the scale of the problem to be built up and assist the police and Government to determine what resources and powers are required in order to effectively tackle the problem.”

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Where a dog is in the act of worrying livestock and there is, or is likely to be serious damage to those livestock, call police on 999.

Alternatively, dial 101 to report an incident where the dogs are no longer present after an attack or to report problem dog behaviour.

Photographs and videos of the worrying incident caused can be extremely useful, said the CLA.

For more information about the CLA and its work, visit cla.org.uk/your-area/south-east/regional-news and follow @CLASouthEast on Twitter.