police and farmers in West Devon are warning dog walkers to keep their pets under control. It follows the latest spate of sheep attacks on Dartmoor. The main area where attacks have occurred over the last 18 months is Roborough Down. Sheep farmers are aware of the problem during lambing season but are still finding livestock dead or distressed after attacks by dogs. Farmer Arnold Cole, from Greenwell Farm in Yelverton, had two of his sheep savaged by dogs last week on the Clearbrook side of Roborough Down and said it was an ongoing problem. He said: ?They attack the nose and tail. ?The trouble is the owners are letting their dogs run around unsupervised. I don?t blame the dogs I blame their owners. ?I want dogs kept on a lead at all times. We are allowed to shoot a dog which is worrying a sheep ? if its not on a lead we are allowed to shoot it if the owners are not being responsible.? He said the vet?s bill for tending a sheep after they were attacked was expensive. He said: ?This is my living ? it is like someone taking £40 out of your wage packet every month. ?I want people to enjoy our commons but just as long as they enjoy it responsibly.? Prosecution will be considered in cases of dog attacks on sheep but farmers have the legal right to shoot any dog they see worrying their animals on agricultural land
