Dog owners are being reminded to keep their pets in check over the coming weeks as lambing season gets underway.
With Easter expected to trigger an increase in visitors to the countryside, walkers with dogs in tow are being reminded of the rules amid fears attacks on livestock will increase.
Four goats died in Kent earlier this week after a herd was chased by out-of-control dogs.
While the goats weren’t bitten, Kent Wildlife Trust says the creatures were hounded to the point of exhaustion, in the attack at Bigbury Camp Nature Reserve near Canterbury.
As a result, two of the goats need to be euthanized after suffering dislocated joints and heart and lung damage while two others die at the scene.
The scale of livestock is worrying
Farm animals worth £114,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in the South East last year, according to figures released by insurance firm NFU Mutual.
Across the UK, the estimated cost of livestock reportedly soared by nearly 30% to £2.4 million last year.
However at the same time, NFU Mutual claims its