Farmers are shooting and killing dogs which are worrying their sheep.

In the past week in East Sussex four dogs have been shot by farmers who are upset they are chasing and killing their sheep.

Meanwhile a woman is due to be sentenced after admitting four counts of sheep worrying.

Jobless Deborah Taylor, 46, Friars Gate, Crowborough, appeared in court charged with four offences of owning a dog worrying livestock and will face her punishment on February 5.

Sussex Police said Taylor’s dogs were seen chasing and killing sheep on four occasions in December and November last year.

As a result six sheep died or had to be put to sleep.

Separately to this other dogs have been killed by farmers.

On January 6, two dogs killed a sheep and were seen attacking the rest of the flock in Groombridge.

The farmer went out but the dogs disappeared.

At about 3.30am on January 7, the same two dogs came back and killed a further three sheep, so the farmer shot the two dogs dead.

On January 9, two dogs attacked a flock of sheep at a farm in Chuck Hatch, Hartfield.

The farmer shot the two dogs dead. One sheep was put to sleep and two others have life-threatening injuries.

Police also traced the owner of some dogs who were chasing sheep on Ashdown Forest on October 7.

On this occasion no sheep were injured, although officers spoke to the dog owners and gave them advice about keeping their dogs under control.

PC Jennifer Black said dog owners needed to be more aware sheep worrying is an offence and dogs could be shot by farmers.

She said: "The attacks on sheep are often by dogs who have escaped from their own gardens.

“People need to check their fences and do everything they possibly can to get their dogs back if they do escape.

“Owners do not know what their dogs may be up to when they have escaped.

“Even docile dogs at home, are capable of chasing sheep, which may result in a pregnant sheep aborting its lamb or having to be put to sleep as a result of sustained injuries. Livestock are a farmers' livelihood and dead and injured sheep can cause significant financial loss and great upset. Please keep your dogs under control at all times."