FRESH pleas were made today for owners to keep their dogs under control after sheep were savaged on Suffolk's coastal heaths for the second time in two months.

By Richard Cornwell

FRESH pleas were made today for owners to keep their dogs under control after sheep were savaged on Suffolk's coastal heaths for the second time in two months.

One sheep was killed and two others seriously hurt in the incident on grazing land at Upper Hollesley Common, which followed the death of another sheep at Sizewell in June.

The sheep were part of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Sandlings flock, and dog owners are being urged to keep dogs on a lead on wildlife sites.

“Three animals were attacked by an unleashed dog - one was so badly injured that it had to be put down on site; the other two have serious injuries which they are recovering from at Foxburrow Farm,” said Sandlings manager David Mason.

“The countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it's every owner's duty to make sure their dog is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people.

“We would ask the public to please take notice of signs which ask people to keep their dogs under control and on a lead when entering land with grazing livestock.”

The sheep are part of the Trust's conservation grazing flock used on the Sandlings Heaths to conserve the special wildlife habitat with grazing keeping the heaths free of scrub and saplings.

“Many people don't believe their dogs are capable of sheep worrying but sheep can be deeply distressed by even the mere presence of a dog running around unrestrained,” added Mr Mason.