ESSEX police have urged residents to keep their dogs on a leash near livestock following an increase in reported incidents.

Officers urged dog walkers to be very careful and reminded residents that worrying about sheep is a criminal offense.

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An Essex Police spokesperson in Colchester said: ‘We are seeing an increase in reports of people not having their dogs on a leash around live animals.

“It is a criminal offense to worry about sheep, so if you are walking your dog or a new puppy and there are other animals around, please put your dog on a leash, it is not acceptable to let your dog will chase cattle.

“While you might not think your dog affected the animals, pregnant sheep can miscarry due to the stress of being chased.

“Some will die after trying to find a safe place.

“Keeping your dog on a leash around livestock will not only protect the animals, but will also help protect you from lawsuits.”

It comes weeks after a farmer urged residents to keep their dogs on a leash near cattle after one lamb was killed and another fought for his life after being maimed.

A dog made its way into the field where the sheep, owned by Colletts Farm Dairy of Wormingford, were grazing in Bures.

A young lamb was fatally injured, while another was seriously injured.

Tim Gurton, who runs the farm with his wife, Sophie, has taken to social media to vent his frustrations.

Mr Gurdon posted a photo of the injured lamb, saying it showed the ‘reality of what a pet can do if left unchecked’.

Earlier this year, the Essex branch of the National Farmers Union warned of an increase in fatal sheep attacks in Essex.

In March, Vanessa Bice, 40, of Gravel Pit Lane, Brantham, and Warwick Foreman, 52, of Compton Road, Colchester, admitted multiple charges related to two uncontrollable dogs after 11 sheep were mutilated in fields around Brantham.