Warning; Distressing image.

A farmer has urged dog walkers to ensure their pets are on leads near sheep after he found a Labrador racing after his flock near Grantham.

The anonymous farmer’s plea has been brought into sharp focus this week after a dog killed one sheep and injured two others in a separate incident in Allington on Tuesday.

He said: "“I saw a yellow Labrador whizzing around the field with the sheep scattered far and wide – they were terrified. I couldn’t see an owner anywhere – it was nowhere near a footpath - and luckily

after a while the dog ran off.

The sheep was killed on Wednesday morning. (21565357)

“People may not know that worrying livestock can have terrible consequences, including leading to pregnant ewes suffering miscarriages. We have a few footpaths on our land and I love seeing people using them and enjoying the countryside. It’s an opportunity to stop and talk to walkers too and luckily the vast majority of them know to keep their pet on a lead and are respectful to the countryside.”

A spokesperson for the National Farmers Union said: “A dog owner can be fined a maximum of £1,000 for allowing their dog to worry livestock and a court could order the dog be destroyed.”

Farmers whose livestock are killed or injured as a result of dog worrying can sue the owner for compensation under the Animal Act 1971.

The police have powers to detain a dog suspected of worrying livestock if there is no owner present, and can also obtain a warrant to enter premises in order to identify a dog.

Here are some top tips on what to do when you walk your dog in the countryside:

 Always keep your dog on a lead near sheep

 Be aware even small lap dogs can attack and kill farm animals

 Please report dog attacks or roaming dogs to the farmer or the police

 Familiarise puppies with farm animals from an early age

 Don’t let dogs loose in gardens near fields with farm animals in