Four sheep have been killed and a lamb orphaned after being attacked by a dog on a farm in the Isle of Man.
Police said it is the third year in a row that sheep have died in a dog attack in the area of Glen Dhoo, near a track leading to Ballaugh Plantation.
The Manx National Farmers’ Union earlier this week launched an appeal about the issue.
Then Andrew Cooper, general secretary of the Manx National Farmers’ Union, said: ’We are extremely concerned by the growing issue of livestock worrying.
"We have had more than 40 cases reported in the last two years, varying from attacks on individual animals to farmers losing entire flocks.
"Losses suffered by farmers have been substantial, both in terms of emotional impact and financial costs.
"Owners may not think their family pet is capable of attacking another animal and, to owners, dogs’ behaviour may seem merely playful.
"However, it is dogs’ natural instinct to chase, so owners must keep them under proper control.
"In some circumstances, the law allows farmers to shoot dogs found attacking or seriously worrying livestock. They don’t like to, and fortunately it is a rare occurrence, but they take livestock welfare very seriously."
