Dog owners told to control pets after sheep killed

Dog walkers are being urged to keep their pets on leads after two sheep were killed by a dog.

Farmer Robin Milton said the rams were attacked near Withypool on 2 August.

He said: "You can't turn the clock back. It's more about just reminding people, really seriously, please keep your dogs under control."

Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) said the path that runs from Withypool to Room Hill has been closed as a result of the attack.

Milton said they installed a "kissing gate" earlier in the year to allow people to use their land as a "scenic shortcut".

However, after the incident, they decided to close the path for the short term.

The ENPA said: "Understandably, the landowner does not want to risk a repeat of this incident and so the permitted path is now closed to the public."

The authority wants anyone with information about the attack to get in touch.

The National Sheep Association has said that in some circumstances, farmers were legally entitled to shoot dogs if they were endangering their sheep.

It added that it is important for dog owners to keep pets on leads around livestock, even if they can usually be trusted to come when called.

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