DOG walkers are being warned to make sure their pets are secure when walking through the Ribble Valley countryside after a dozen sheep and lambs were killed in an attack.

Police said that two pedigree Swaledale ewes carrying five unborn lambs between them were attacked and killed and a further five full-term lambs had to be aborted following the incident sometime last Friday in a field near Pendleton Road, Pendleton.

Officers said they were attacked by a dog, although the breed is not known.

PC Di Bioletti took to social media to issue the warning to dog lovers and said ‘there is no excuse’ for letting a dog worry sheep’.

She said: “Ewes are lambing now so they are even more vulnerable to dog attacks.

“Injury caused by a dog worrying any stock including sheep, horses, cattle, poultry is classed as a criminal matter and is dealt with accordingly.

“The total cost to the farmer in monetary terms is significant, but in terms of the time and effort that has gone into the breeding of a flock it can be soul destroying.

“In this case one of the ewes was a pedigree whose bloodline cannot be replaced.”

Adam Briggs, Lancashire Advisor for Nation Farmer’s Union said: “Regardless of the incident we would advise dog walkers to always make sure their dogs are secure when out walking in fields as even the friendliest of canines can let animal instincts get the better of them.

“It’s a very upsetting and shocking experience when just one sheep is killed let alone a large number.

“These sort of incidents can be absolutely devastating for farmers.

“As well as financially losing out, farmers don’t want to find their livestock dead especially when they have spent a lot of dedicated time looking after them.

“It can be an emotional loss.”

PC Bioletti added: “This incident happened between 6pm and 3.30pm on Friday, February 26, in a field between Wiswell and Pendleton.

“If anyone saw anything which may lead the police to identify the dog or the owner please call 101 quoting reference EG1601208.”