Police were alerted to a number of dead and unwell lambs in a field in West Dorset on Monday (April 24).

A member of the public called Dorset Police with concerns about the welfare of the lambs and ewes in a field which has not been identified. 

The caller said that there were several dead lambs with a number of them appearing to need veterinary attention.

Officers from the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team went to the field to check the sheep and there they found animals that did indeed need treatment.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "Officers were able to contact the farmer and the necessary treatment was given to those animals.

"We would like to take this opportunity to highlight that we will respond to animal welfare matters and continue to encourage the public to report their concerns to us."

The spokesperson did not comment on the cause of deaths.