DOG owners are being urged to keep their pets on leads by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust after the death of a lamb, writes Amy Ford.
The warning came after the incident near Upton-upon-Severn at the end of last month.
Three ewes were also injured in the incident which happened in Nash’s Meadow, a reserve owned by the WWT.
The dog owner has since agreed to paying the farmer’s vet bills which have arisen but owners are being reminded that due to it being illegal for dogs to worry sheep, a person can be prosecuted without the dog even making physical contact.
Not only will keeping dogs on leads within these areas keep livestock safe, but also other wildlife such as ground nesting birds and dormice.
Rob Allen, Reserves Team Leader for the county’s leading conservation charity, said: “We ask people to keep dogs on leads on all our nature reserves in order to keep our wildlife safe,” after the situation brought light to the issue.
Visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk for more information.
