Police have warned dog owners of their responsibility to control their pets after a spate of attacks on sheep near Dover and Maidstone.

Over the past week there have been three reported incidents of sheep worrying, including one near Elms Vale Road, Farthingloe, on Saturday where three sheep were injured.

Officers attended and the owners of the dog have been contacted. An investigation is ongoing.

Further incidents were reported two days later when sheep were injured by dogs in a field near Vale Road, Loose, just outside Maidstone.

Police are still working there to identify the dogs and their owners.

Sgt Darren Walshaw of the Rural Task Force said: "These are particularly nasty incidents as we approach the lambing season and a number of pregnant sheep have suffered serious injuries.

"As well as the injuries from the attacks, whole flocks can become distressed and farmers have to arrange the attendance of vets at considerable expense.

"This is why we always urge owners to keep pets under control around any livestock.

"It is important to also remember that that farmers are within their rights to shoot dogs, if they are deemed to be worrying sheep.

"As a person in charge of a dog, you could be committing an offence if it worries livestock on agricultural land.

"If an offence is proved, the dog owner or person in charge of the animal could be liable for damages and compensation."

Under the Animals Act 1971, a person acting to protect livestock may kill a dog that they reasonably believe is `worrying' without incurring any criminal or civil liability.

Worrying includes attacking or chasing livestock in a way that might reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering or loss.

It can also be an offence to have a dog in a field or enclosed space where there are sheep when the dog is not on a lead or under close control.

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