The police are urging the public to see a shocking image showing the aftermath of a livestock worrying incident in a bid to promote responsible dog ownership.
The image has been released by Gloucestershire Constabulary to educate the public on the damage an out-of-control dog can cause to sheep.
It comes as figures show that livestock worrying attacks remain at a historic record high in the UK.
The total cost of the crime to the agricultural industry is estimated to have exceeded £1.2m in 2018 alone.
A recent attack took place in the Gloucestershire village of Evenlode between 10am on Monday, 25 November and midday on Tuesday, 26 November.
An animal, believed to be a dog, attacked five sheep. Two ewes died and the others are all seriously injured.
The police have released an image of the attack, saying the incident is now the 'harsh reality of the countryside'.
Is this graphic? Yes.
— Rural Crime Team - Gloucestershire Constabulary (@GlosPol_Rural) November 26, 2019
Will it possibly offend people? Yes.
Are 2 Ewes dead? Yes.
Is this the harsh reality of the countryside and most possibly irresponsible dog owners? Yes!!!
Attack took place in Evenlode.
Any info call 101 quoting Inc 319 26th. pic.twitter.com/CeqUAIOVDA
The force said: “Is this graphic? Yes. Will it possibly offend people? Yes. Are 2 ewes dead? Yes.”
In Dorset, police have recently installed dozens of signs warning the public of the damage a loose dog can do when out in the countryside.
The signs remind walkers that dogs near farmland must always be on a lead and that sheep worrying is a punishable crime.
Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, if a dog worries sheep on agricultural land, the person in charge of the dog is guilty of an offence.
