Four dogs caught attacking sheep in East Sussex have been shot by farmers in the past week.

Two were reportedly shot in Groombridge and a second pair in Hartfield.

According to Sussex Police, two dogs killed a sheep and were seen attacking the rest of the flock in Groombridge on January 6.

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

The farmer subsequently shot and killed the two dogs.

On January 9, two dogs attacked a flock of sheep at a farm in Chuck Hatch, Hartfield. The farmer shot both animals.

One sheep had to be put to sleep and another two suffered life-threatening injuries.

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

Although no sheep were injured, officers spoke to the owner and warned about keeping the dogs under control.

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

She said: “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 manage to 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 down as a result of sustained injuries.

“Livestock are a farmer’s livelihood and dead and injured sheep can cause significant financial loss and great upset.

“Please keep your dogs under control at all times.”

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

Jobless Deborah Taylor, 46, from Friars Gate, Crowborough, has appeared in court charged with four offences of owning a dog which was worrying livestock and will be sentenced on Wednesday, February 5.

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

As a result of the attacks, six sheep died or had to be put down.