A WARNING has been issued by police for people to pick up after their dogs on farmland after a cow suffered an abortion.

A farmer in the Ribble Valley recently lost two calves because they were aborted, police said.

Officers warned dog faeces carries the parasite neosporosis which can cause spontaneous abortion in cows.

The fields the cows are grazing are crossed by a number of footpaths which are used regularly by people and their dogs, police said.

A police spokesman said: "Some dog owners seem to think that they don't need to clear up their dog's mess on farmland but if you don't you may be responsible for costing the farmer dearly in the loss not only of the calf but the cow as well.

"Once a cow has aborted she can't be bred from again.

"This means that the farmer may lose the ability to breed up to six calves from that cow and will also lose income from the milk she would have produced."

Police estimate that over six years that could cost farmers £27,000 per cow.

Officers also said people could be fined up to £1000 if they do not pick up after their dog.