Farmers facing the slaughter of their livestock are also having to cope with the loss of treasured companions - their sheepdogs.

A national sheepdog charity, in North Yorkshire, has reported a steep rise in the number of dogs they have been asked to rehome.

Some farmers in infected areas have asked for their dogs to be rehomed, while some dogs face being destroyed following the loss of flocks.

Mike Cooke, of Border Collie Rescue, Richmond, said: "Parting with a dog is often traumatic for owners. When this is happening as a result of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, the build-up can make people particularly emotional.

"We will arrange for the disinfection of these dogs, removal from farms and placing in quarantine for three weeks, before they are assessed and offered for re-housing."

A Ministry of Agriculture spokesman said that although it was not policy for dogs on infected farms to be destroyed, some farmers concerned about the possible spread of the disease had chosen to have their animals put down.