POLICE are asking dog owners to control their animals after sheep were killed in two separate attacks.

Two Alsatians and a terrier attacked and killed four sheep at a smallholding in Liverton village, near Loftus, on Monday night and a local farmer believes the same dogs were responsible for killing two of his sheep.

The dogs, which were wearing collars but no identifying details, were destroyed when they returned to the same farm on Tuesday morning.

Inspector Charlie Bell, from Cleveland Police, said: "We urge dog owners to be responsible and take appropriate steps to make sure their pets can't get involved in this type of activity.

"With the ongoing foot-and-mouth issue it is essential to keep dogs off farmland when they have no reason to be there," he added.

Anyone with information about the dogs should call Redcar Police on (01642) 302626.