A furious farmer is pleading with dog walkers to keep their pets under control after a sheep was killed in a vicious attack.

Robin Bates, of Wolverton Farm near Dover, says those using a footpath on the edge of his field “must show more respect”.

The 26-year-old found the sheep lying on its back and covered in blood last Tuesday morning.

He is now calling on walkers to keep their dogs on leads as it is not the first time one of his flock has been attacked in the field, which sits next to Alkham Valley Road.

"There were claw marks on her where she’d been pulled down to the floor and on the underside of her leg there was a bite mark,” Mr Bates said.

"It's definitely a dog attack. We had another one two weeks ago, and it's always when we put the sheep in that field for the summer. We also had one where we lost eight pedigree rams.

"It’s just frustrating that people can't control their dogs - they just need to respect us a bit more."

Mr Bates says he is planning to install a new fence in the field, which he rents from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

“The MoD said it would shut the permitted footpath which runs along the field but we said it's pointless shutting it because then people would just cut the fences, which they have done in the past,” he said.

"We said it would upset a lot of people so we said leave the footpath how it is."

Mr Bates, who says he plans to report the most recent attack to police, says the new fence could cost £3,500.

He added: “When the sheep don't really make much money, where's the money going to come from?

“Farming is a way of life but it’s not like at the end of the month you get your wages from your boss.

“We do get a lot of backlash from people, and people think that they can go into the countryside and do what they want.”

Livestock worrying, which includes barking, chasing, biting and killing, is a criminal offence and dog owners could be liable for prosecution or a fine.

Under the Animals Act 1971, a dog could be shot if caught in the act by a landowner.

In a statement, David Barton of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) said dog owners must keep control of their pets.

“People should keep their pets on a short lead around livestock…”

“Livestock worrying and dog attacks causes stress and anguish for farmers seeing their animals suffering, in addition to the significant financial impact,” he said.

“For many years, we have been working with government and police leaders to agree proposed legislation giving police more powers to investigate dog attacks on livestock.

“We want people to enjoy the countryside and welcome members of the public being able to see where their food is produced, but dog owners must do this responsibly.

“No matter how in control dog owners think they are, they should keep their pets on a short lead around livestock and also ensure their pets do not escape from houses and gardens and roam free.”