One sheep had cuts to its ear while its fleece had been pulled from its body by the dog (Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team)
Pregnant sheep have been injured after a livestock worrying incident by dogs in Cheshire.
Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team said the incident had taken place in Middlewich on December 19 when a farmer's neighbour heard dogs barking in the early hours of the morning with sheep running up and down a field.
Officers said the farmer had managed to secure the dogs which had reportedly escaped from their home.
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The farmer had to move the sheep to another part of the field in order to calm down.
Police confirmed one sheep had its fleece pulled from its body with cuts to its ear, while another had cuts to its ear and was lame.
Rural crime officers warned the incident could have caused the death of unborn lambs.
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Speaking after the incident, police constable Sarah Marson from Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team said: "Can you imagine being heavily pregnant with triplets and being run around a field like this?
"All of the sheep were heavily in lamb and this is why I say at this stage, this type of incident can cause the death of unborn lambs.
"The farmer wanted to get his message out about the destruction this can cause.
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"They were only small dogs but they still caused injuries and worried the sheep.
"It is not just about the sheep being attacked, it is the seriousness of livestock worrying as well.
"The farmer does want to say they have so many dog walkers which walk near to their farm and everyone is so respectful of his animals.
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"This was not an incident of dogs off leads but two dogs which had escaped.
"We need to be responsible for our dogs and reduce death and injury to livestock."
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