The police have issued a warning over dogs killing farm animals.

Sussex Police's Rural Crime Team has said that this time of year is when there is a rise in "livestock worrying".

This is when farm animals on agricultural land are scared or attacked by a dog, which can lead to them being significantly injured.

Farm animals, including sheep, can also be killed by dogs, which police say has "devastating consequences" for owners.

This is because of the "personal distress" it can cause, as well as significant financial loss.

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The police have now urged people to be aware of this and to secure their dogs on leads when around livestock.

A spokesman for the crime rural team said: "Everyone who walks or owns dogs in the vicinity of livestock should be aware of the devastation that worrying or attacks by dogs can have on the animals and on the livelihoods of their owners.

"It should be expected that dogs chasing livestock will cause injury or suffering; in the case of ewes, this can include aborting unborn lambs or loss or reduction in the number of offspring."

Owners can be fined up to £1,000 for incidents involving their dogs and livestock.