DOG owners are being warned to keep their animals under tight control after a spate of incidents in which sheep were savaged.

In the past six months, 18 sheep have been killed and more than 30 injured in a small area between Wolsingham and Stanhope.

Police and farmers are growing increasingly worried following two attacks in the past fortnight at the same farm, where several of the injured animals were pregnant ewes.

Last month, three ewes died and nine were seriously injured after an attack by a dog at Low Doctor Pasture Farm, near Wolsingham.

On Thursday, five ewes died and a sixth was seriously injured at the same farm.

PC Ian Craggs appealed to all pet owners to keep their animals under control at all times.

He said: "In all cases, attacks were on farmland close to houses, and all the evidence at the scene suggests that the dog or dogs responsible were pets from those properties nearby.

"Too many people still mistakenly think when they see dogs in fields that they are only playing, but the sheep have been chased, bitten and in many cases had their throats ripped out."

PC Craggs said: "Farmers are very much aware of the threat dogs pose at this time of the year. Surviving sheep from flocks that are attacked may abort their lambs.

"Farmers are also aware that in law they are entitled to shoot dogs found worrying livestock, although they are very reluctant to do this."