A WARNING has been issued by police for walkers to keep their dogs on leads as the lambing season begins.

Cumbria police is urging owners to keep their pets on the leash following concerns from the farming community.

A spokesperson for the force said: "It is now the time of year when sheep are in-lamb and a lot have lambed.

"People like to take their dog into the countryside and a lot of our rural area is grazed by sheep so there is a chance you will come across some when out with your dog.

"It is every dog's instinct to chase, even if obedient and good.

"Chasing by dogs can do serious damage to sheep and lambs, even if the dog doesn’t catch them."

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Officers have reminded residents that it is an offence to allow a dog to worry sheep - this includes attacking or chasing.

Among the worries for farmers is the stress from being chased can cause sheep to die, pregnant ewes can miscarry and serious injury can be caused while trying to escape.

Dog bites can lead to the death of livestock of cause various expensive complications and lambs can be 'mis-mothered', resulting in them dying from starvation or hypothermia.