DOG owners are being reminded to keep their animals on leads while walking them near to farms during lambing season.

The warning was made by Cleveland Police after a ewe and two lambs were killed by a dog today.

It happened on Stokesley Road, Middlesbrough, at around 11.50am.

Police say the dog had escaped from a property and made its way to the nearby farm, where there were a number of sheep and their lambs.

Inspector Steve Clyburn said: “There has been an unfortunate incident whereby a dog attacked and killed a ewe and two lambs.

"On this occasion, the dog had accidentally got out of a property and made its way towards a farm where there were a number of sheep and lambs.

“To help avoid incidents like this, we are asking people to ensure their gardens are secure and people who may be out exercising their dogs in fields and near to farms during lockdown to keep them on a lead, particularly as it is lambing season at the moment.”

The matter is now being dealt with civilly between the owner of the farm and dog owner.