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Newborn lambs killed after dog let off lead in field

Newborn lambs killed after dog let off lead in field <i>(Image: Ribble Valley Police)</i>
Newborn lambs killed after dog let off lead in field (Image: Ribble Valley Police)

A number of newborn lambs have been killed after a dog was let off its lead in a field in the Ribble Valley area.

Police issued a warning to dog walkers after a distressing incident left two-to-three week old lambs dead as a result of a dog off its lead.

Officers say the lambs were killed around the same time on the evening of March 29.

The farmer had signs up at either end of the footpath that tuns down the side of his field remining owners to keep dogs on leads.

Posting a photo of the dead lambs, a spokesperson for the police said: “Please keep dogs on leads!

“Apologies if this picture upsets you, but I have deliberately pixelated the image so as to make it less offensive.

“Unfortunately, this is the reality of a dog being off the lead in a field with sheep and lambs.

“These lambs are 2-3 wk old and were all killed around the same time, believed to have been the evening/night of March 29.

“The farmer had signs up at either end of the footpath that runs down the side of his field, reminding people to keep dogs on leads, but these have obviously been ignored!

“We would respectfully, remind dog owners and walkers, to adhere to such signage, but even if there is none, please keep all dogs on a lead.

“Ultimately it could result in the dog owner being prosecuted and the dog being destroyed.”