Police put out warning for dogs around sheep during lambing season

Police have put out their annual warning to keep dogs on leads during lambing season. 

Totnes Police posted on social media to share a "polite yet firm reminder that it is an offence to allow your dog to chase or attack livestock". 

credit Totnes Police 

A spokesperson for the Totnes Neighbourhood Team said: "The sun is trying to make more of an appearance which means soon our fields will look less like mud pits and little bundles of fluffy joy will be seen playing in the fields. This also means more of us accessing the outdoors for some well deserved time in nature. 

"This is a polite yet firm reminder that it is an offence to allow your dog to chase or  attack livestock. This could result in action being taken against dog owners and sadly the dogs themselves. 

"These incidents are unfortunately more common than you’d like to think. Livestock worrying can cause serious distress, injury or death to livestock which also has an impact on the keepers of the livestock. 

“'My dog has never done this before' is not an excuse so we are asking you to 'take the lead' and make sure you keep your dog away from animals. 

"Please keep your dogs under proper control to avoid such incidents. 

"As a dog owner myself I would hate to see any dog destroyed for an easily preventable incident.

"If anyone would like any signs to put up in the appropriate places please email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.."