Dog owners are being warned to keep their animals under control, in particular on farmland.

The warning comes following a complaint from some farmers on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall.

PCSO Julia Berry, from Helston police neighbourhood team, asked dog owners to “act responsibly” when walking pets or allowing them to roam freely in rural areas.

She said that while the “vast majority” of dog owners did keep their dogs on leads and under control around livestock, some farmers in the area had reported that a “small minority” did not have control of their dogs while out walking.

PCSO Berry said: “It is always good practice to keep your dog on a lead around farm animals and horses, for your own safety and the welfare of the animals.

“It is particularly important at this time of the year when sheep are lambing. A farmer may shoot a dog which is attacking or chasing farm animals without being liable to compensate the dog's owners.”

She stressed that this was not something restricted to the Lizard Peninsula but relevant to all areas where livestock was kept.