DOG walkers are being advised to take extra care when walking on the hills and commons and sheep and their lambs return to the Malvern Hills over the next week.
This time last year a lamb and ewe were killed by dogs on one single weekend.
There are many more livestock worrying incidents, including chasing, which go unreported to the Malvern Hills Trust.
Beck Baker, community and conservation officer, said: “Sadly, dogs chasing and attacking sheep is a common occurrence on the Malvern Hills and Commons.
“We’d like to remind dog walkers that any dog, big or small, docile or aggressive, has the potential to chase or kill livestock so all dogs should be kept on a lead near grazing cattle and sheep.
“The simple solution of putting a dog on a lead will help keep sheep and lambs safe.
“It is a criminal offence for a dog to worry livestock and we may report incidents to the police.
“This may result a dog being destroyed and fines for the dog owner.”
To help dog walkers avoid the livestock or prepare to encounter livestock, the Malvern Hills Trust provides a weekly Stockwatch update with the locations of sheep and cattle within temporary electric fencing on the Hills and Commons.
The public can view this on the Malvern Hills Trust website or sign up to receive weekly email alerts with the information.
The course, with dog behaviourist Sue Harper, starts on May 12.
Contact Sue by emailing [email protected] for more information and to book a place.
