QUANTOCK Rangers, local farmers and the police are reminding dog walkers on the hills that sheep and lambs are at their most vulnerable at this time of year.

From March 1 until July 31, dog owners are required by law to keep their pets on a lead when being walked across open access land.

In all other areas of the countryside, dogs should be kept under close control – it is not just physical attacks that cause harm but simply allowing a dog to chase sheep may cause ewes to abort or become injured.

Owen Jones, Quantock Hills AONB Ranger said: “We’d like to take this opportunity to remind all dog owners to please keep their dogs on leads when walking close to lambs or sheep.

“Even if lambs are not present in a flock, the ewes may well be in lamb and a dog chasing them could cause them to abort.

“There have been many times when Quantock Rangers have had to deal with the aftermath of dog attacks on sheep and, in all cases, I believe they could have been easily avoided - it’s never easy visiting a farmer to tell them that their livestock has been injured or killed”.

Keeping dogs on leads on open access land is also to protect ground nesting birds. As dogs run about in the undergrowth, they flush birds such as nightjars and skylarks off their nests and may cause them to abandon them.

Anyone whose dog does kill or cause harm to livestock can be heavily fined and liable for the value of the livestock harmed.

And the pet may also be put down at the owner’s expense – and if the dog is actually seen in action harassing livestock it could be shot on sight.

Anyone who witnesses an attack while in progress should call 999. Otherwise, any incidents witnessed should be reported to the police on 101 or directly to the Quantock Hills AONB Office on 01823 451884.