Four sheep reported killed by dog in Burwash

Four sheep have been reported killed by a dog in separate incidents in Burwash. Police say attacks occurred in the space of six days between 23-28 January, and are believed to have involved a single dog. The report comes days after police in Ninfield discovered 18 dead sheep on the road and in a ditch near Boreham Bridge on February 12, after a suspected sheep worrying incident also involving dogs. [caption id="attachment_12712166" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Sussex police are warning dog walkers to avoid livestock.[/caption] PCSO Daryl Holter, wildlife crime officer, said: "Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act it is a criminal offence to let a dog worry sheep and owners or handlers risk being fined. "We ask that if you are walking your dog in an area where livestock is kept, please keep them on a lead and under control. "Ultimately, a landowner is able to shoot a dog that they believe is worrying sheep - and that includes if they are just running after them or chasing them, not necessarily physically attacking them. "At this time of year, most ewes are in lamb and stress caused by dogs can cause them to abort. "Even the most docile of pets can turn killer and even the best behaved of dogs can become uncontrollable. "Don't walk your pet away from where you are permitted to be and always be aware of livestock - it may not be in sight, perhaps hidden by vegetation or the lie of the land." Anyone with information about these sheep deaths can call police on 101.