Dog walkers warned after lambs are hurt in 'appalling attack'

LIVESTOCK WORRYING INCLUDES BARKING, CHASING, BITING AND KILLING

- By ANNETTE BELCHER

DOG owners have been told to keep their pets on leads “at all times” when in the county's countryside after an attack left a number of lambs seriously injured.

Surrey's Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Ellie Vesey-Thompson issued the warning following a visit to a farm in Dorking last month, along with officers from Surrey Police’s Rural Crime Team.

During the visit, she saw lambs which had been badly hurt in an attack days before.

Livestock worrying, an offence in the UK, includes barking, chasing, biting and killing.

“Surrey is home to many responsible dog-owners who deeply cherish their pets. But even the most trusted of dogs can behave in surprising or shocking ways,” the deputy commissioner said.