A FARMER who has experienced several attacks on her sheep by out-of-control dogs in the past few months has spoken of her fury.

Tracy Pickard said one sheep has been killed and five others have been bitten by dogs on Bradley Hall Farm’s land in Great Harwood.

The latest incident saw a sheep attacked by a dog and bitten on its neck on Sunday.

She said the attacks have happened on the land around Dean Clough reservoir and is calling for dog owners to keep their pets under control.

Ms Pickard, who runs the farm with her father John Pickard, said: “We’re a farm in Great Harwood who farm the land around Dean Clough and there have been problems with dogs attacking sheep.

“Someone found the sheep on Sunday with big bite marks around its neck. In recent months, one sheep has been killed and five others have been bitten.

“There is a problem and it’s not the dogs fault but the owners need training. The law says that dogs must be kept under control.

“Most dog owners are decent and keep their dogs on lead, but not all do and around livestock they should do."

Ms Pickard said the police and RSPCA have been made aware of the situation on the family-run farm which has some 1,000 sheep.

She added: “Dog owners an walk on the footpaths surrounding the farm’s land but they should all respect the countryside and the livestock and the law.”

PC Nigel Keates, Lancashire Police’s wildlife officer, warned dog owners to keep pets under control.

He said: “We’ve had reports of dog attacks on sheep across East Lancashire this year. I would ask for dog owners to keep their dogs under control so they comply with the law.

“Farms such as these specialise in breeding sheep and dog attacks have a big impact on the livelihoods of these people.”

And it’s not the first time the farm has spoken out about sheep attacks.

Back in 2002, Mr Pickard revealed how one sheep had its head hacked off, another had been shot in the throat with an air rifle and a month-old lamb had been thrown on a fire.

Under The Dogs Act, if a dog scares sheep on agricultural land, the owner of the dogs could be guilty of a criminal offence. Civil proceedings can be brought where a dog kills or injures livestock, under The Animals Act 1971.