The warning comes after numerous reports of dog attacks on flocks in the Forest of Dean.

Police are reminding dog owners to be responsible and keep their dogs on a lead while near animals to avoid attacks on sheep during lambing season.

The reminder comes after officers attended a report of a loose dog attacking sheep on farmland in the Lydbrook/ Eastbach area of the Forest of Dean last month.

It was reported that on February 17, a loose, medium-sized black dog with a brown collar had chased an ewe down the road and bitten its ear off.

Two days earlier the same dog had chased another ewe also causing an injury to its ear.

These incidents are the latest in a series of attacks on the flock, with the owner reporting six sheep killed by dogs in the past 18 months.

Sheep represent a farmer's income and are often worth a substantial sum. If they are attacked or killed, the loss that farmers face can leave them substantially out of pocket.

Sheep worrying can include dogs attacking animals physically, running after them/chasing the sheep around, especially when they are carrying lambs or there are young lambs within the flock.

Dog faeces left on grazing land may also carry disease which can kill sheep and affect unborn lambs.

PC Cath McDay from the Rural Crime Team said: "Dog owners are reminded that they are responsible for their dogs at all times and allowing them out of sight to roam does not negate your responsibility for your pets.

"Offences are being committed under the Dangerous Dogs act and the Protection of Livestock Act and incidents of this nature are taken seriously, particularly at this time of year when many sheep are in lamb and due to give birth to young at any moment.

"Please be mindful of your dog escaping or being out of sight around livestock".

Anyone who has any information about this incident of sheep worrying is asked to complete the online form quoting incident 193 of February 19.

When walking dogs in rural areas, dog owners are advised about the following:

• You must ensure a field or area has no livestock in it before letting your dog off lead. It is the law to keep your dog under control and the responsibility falls with the owner.

• Always ensure your dog is under control in an area where there are livestock or wild animals.

• Be particularly vigilant during lambing season and always keep dogs on a lead during this time.

• If your dog is not good with other animals or people, avoid letting them off their lead when others are around.

• Don't allow people who may not be confident in doing so or have full control over the animal to walk your dog.

• Remember where there may be no livestock in a field one day, the same location could be full of animals the next.

• Ultimately a landowner by law, and as a last resort for protecting their livestock, is able to shoot a dog which they believe is worrying sheep. Police must be notified within 48 hours if this course of action is taken.