A FARMER pleaded with dog owners to keep their pets under control in an emotional note pinned to a fence.
The unnamed writer said they were forced to put down one of their pregnant ewes following issues with pups on their land in Cheshire.
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The handwritten message urged people to keep dogs on leads at all times as they can “scare, chase and attack” the sheep.
A photo of heartfelt letter was shared on Facebook on March 11.
It read: “We have pregnant ewes in this field.
“We have just had the vet put down a pregnant ewe.
“Please keep your dog/s on a lead. They may not attack but can still scare and chase our ewes. Thank you.”
Sergeant Rob Simpson, from Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team, said: “Trying to get that message across.
“No one wants to oversign the countryside, but it’s really sad that we not only have official signs reminding people of their responsibilities to effectively not commit a crime, but we are seeing more and more heartfelt messages being put up.
“Remember, your dog, your responsibility.
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“Thanks all and please feel free to share far and wide.”
The Facebook post was met with scores of comments calling for a change in the law.
One person said: “There should be a change in the law.
“Near live stock, dogs should be on a lead.
“Sorry to sound harsh, but farmers have a hard enough job with out dealing with the distress of aborting ewes or dead ewes.”
Another commented: “Shameful that farmers have to put this message up.
“Dog lovers are usually blindly obsessed with their dogs that they don’t think of the damage they can cause when off leash.”
