DOG owners are being urged to keep their pets under control, as unnecessary attacks on sheep and other livestock continue to take their toll on South West farmers.

New statistics released by leading rural insurer NFU Mutual, revealed that the cost of dog attacks on livestock was £200,000 in the South West last year alone.

A NFU Mutual Survey also revelaed that 63 per cent of dog owners are letting their pet roam free in the countryside and do not always return when called.

As peak lambing season approaches, NFU Mutual is calling for dog owners to ensure their pets are under control at all times when livestock are nearby and to report out-of-control dogs to a local farmer or the police.

South West Regional Manager for NFU Mutual, Roz Hills said: "A significant number of dog owners still don’t realise that their much-loved pet is capable of attacking and killing large numbers of lambs and sheep. Even if a dog doesn’t make contact, the distress and exhaustion of the chase can cause sheep to die or miscarry their lambs."

Advice on preventing dogs attacking livestock is available from NFU Mutual’s website: www.nfumutual.co.uk/news-and-stories/preventing-dog-attacks-on-farm-animals/