A TWO-YEAR-OLD ewe died after choking on a satsuma fed to her by unknown members of the public.

The death of the ewe has left two lambs orphaned and prompted Dorset Police Rural Crime Team to remind people not to feed animals whilst out in the countryside.

A post on the Rural Crime Team’s Facebook page said: “Please do not feed any livestock this includes sheep, cows, horses, pigs and goats.

“Animals are often on special diets to manage the animal’s health.

“This also includes the feeding of grass clipping and garden clippings from trees and shrubs which can ferment and kill animals that consume them.

“We must also remind you that feeding kitchen waste to farm animals is illegal and this is in place to stop the spread of disease.”