AN appeal has been issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority to dog owners, asking them to take responsibility and keep their pets under control. The authority said by law dogs must be under control so they do not worry or disturb farm animals or wildlife. The Dartmoor Commoners' Council and the park authority ask dog owners to keep their animals on a short lead while out walking on Dartmoor's open country and common land, from now until July 31, for the lambing season and the breeding season for moorland birds. Cherry Seage, secretary for Dartmoor Commoners' Council said: 'It is appreciated that most dog walkers are responsible and value and enjoy the open space Dartmoor has to offer. 'However, farmers are becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of control demonstrated by some dog walkers and the recurrent savage attacks on their livestock. 'In some areas one and sometimes two sheep a week have been brutally savaged by dogs and they are left to die a painful death; it may be several days before they are discovered in the undergrowth. 'Please help stop this needless cruelty and assist by providing the police with information about witnessed dog attacks.'
