DOG walkers have been urged to keep their pets dogs on leads in the countryside to cut down the number of sheep attacks.

As farmers move into the new lambing season there have already been reports of dog attacks on sheep in some parts of the county with "horrific results".

To avoid this happening the County Durham Access Forum is urging all dog walkers to take care when exercising their dogs and be mindful of the possible consequences of a loose dog around a sheep flock.

It is also important to be aware of the potential dangers of allowing dogs loose to exercise at home, as we hear reports of dogs straying away from their normal boundaries and finding their way into livestock fields. This can become habit forming, leading to tragic consequences.

At this time of year ewes are heavily in lamb which raises additional concerns of abortion due to aggravation by dogs and attacks on vulnerable lambs.

In the past letting dogs off leads has proved fatal to sheep, lambs and other animals being farmed but it has also led to dogs being destroyed, due to the vicious nature of the attacks.