FARMERS across East Lancashire have been told to remain vigilant after the latest dog attacks on sheep left two dead.

Police were called to a Pendle farm over the weekend after receiving reports that the two animals had been killed by a dog.

An investigation has now been launched following the incident on land just off a footpath near Higher Stone Trough Farm in Kelbrook.

A police spokeswoman said: "We were called just after 5.30pm on April 17 after receiving reports that two sheep had been found dead.

"Our wildlife officers have been notified and an investigation has been launched.

"No arrests have been made at this time.

"The farmer must now catch and check all the flock to assess if there are any injury to other sheep, this causes even more distress to the animals.

"All farmers need to remain vigilant against these attacks."

This latest dog attack comes after dog walkers were told last month to make sure their pets are secure when walking through the Ribble Valley countryside after a dozen sheep and lambs were killed in an similar incident.

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 in a field near Pendleton Road, Pendleton.

Officers said they were attacked by a dog of an unknown breed.

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’.

In January dog walkers at an East Lancashire country park were warned to keep their pets under control after 15 sheep were killed in canine attacks in just two months.

The manager of Cuerden Valley Park, near Chorley, said the incident saw four sheep needing to be put down after an incident involving two dogs.

Anyone with information about the latest incident should call police on 101 and quote log number 1041 \17 April.