Recent incidents have highlighted a need for dog owners to make sure their gardens are secure.

So far this year, we have seen multiple occasions where dogs have escaped gardens and gone on to chase and injure nearby sheep.

Sergeant Chris Wilkinson from our Rural Crime Team said: “In some of these incidents, the dogs haven’t come back home, and significant harm has been caused to livestock.

“Use the lighter evenings and better weather as a chance to check your fences and hedges and make sure your garden is secure. Even if you don’t know your dog has escaped, you are still responsible for any harm it might do.

“Remember: protect your dog, protect livestock. Whether that’s at home, or whilst you’re out walking your dog under close control.”

Last year, as part of Operation Recall, we teamed up with a local farmer and dog trainer to explain the impact that livestock worrying can have. This video can be viewed below and on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WY0IepFlqgQ