Dog owners are being urged to keep control of their animals while walking them on Marlborough Downs following a spate of attacks on sheep.

Mike and Christine Miles have sheep grazing on land in Rockley, Temple Farm and Manton Estate and two weeks ago they experienced a number of attacks on their herds.

Mr Miles said: “We had a real spate of it over three or four days and some of the injuries are quite horrendous, so bad that we’ve had to get the van out and shoot one of the sheep.

“I don’t think it’s a majority of people or dogs but if they could just be more aware of what damage the animals can do perhaps they’d make more of an effort.

“We’ve got lots of police signs up that they gave us and National Farmers’ Union signs all over the place.”

Mrs Miles believes that one of the problems is that owners do not follow basic rules.

She said: “The dogs don’t have to be on leads if they are controlled but if people can’t be sure that the dog will stay close then they should be on a lead while going through livestock.

“The public are encouraged to enjoy the open countryside and there’s lots of public access but the livestock have got a role, their grazing is what improves the grass to keep the place looking as lovely as it does.

“Owners have got to keep their dogs with them.

“Recently another lamb had to be put down that could have been marketed at £100 plus.”