SIX sheep have died after being injured by a dog on land near a caravan park on Walney.

Police are investigating reports of sheep worrying on land adjacent to the South End Caravan Park on Monday during the afternoon or evening.

The animals were injured during the incident and have all since died.

It comes less than three weeks after two pregnant goats were attacked by a dog , with one mauled to death and the other giving birth to a dead kid, between 8pm on January 19 and 9am on January 20 at a smallholding in Mawflat Lane on Walney.

It is an offence to allow a dog to worry livestock and in some circumstances landowners have a defence in law to shoot dogs that are endangering their livestock.

Police are reminding dog walkers that sheep worrying can be easily prevented by owners keeping their dogs on a lead.

The issue is particularly pertinent at this time of year as lambing season approaches.

A dog does not have to physically attack livestock to cause harm – even chasing them can cause distress and easily cause a pregnant sheep to miscarry lambs.

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 101, quoting log 81 of February 9.