A BELOVED family pet was shot and killed by a farmer as its owners and police looked on.

The dog, a young Doberman, was killed to protect a flock of sheep it was worrying after her owners could not bring her back under control.

She had been let off the leash in the middle of a walk through fields in North Mundham, near Chichester, shortly before dusk on Sunday.

Her owners said they were unaware sheep were in the field but tried to call their pet in after the farmer insisted he would have to shoot the animal as it had apparently started to maul the sheep.

Police were called and the shepherd held fire while a concerted effort was made to retrieve the dog.

But she would not come and the farmer was was permitted to fire, which he did, killing the animal.

Sergeant Tom Carter, who oversees sheep worrying for Sussex Police, said: “This was desperately sad. The owners are a genuine, responsible couple and had not realised that sheep were in the field.

“However, by the time that this became clear, the dog was out of control and would not respond to commands and couldn't be caught.

"Police officers attending reluctantly agreed to let the dog be shot after ensuring that it was safe to do so.”

The police said the dog's upset owners had accepted the action was necessary and proportionate given the situation.

When sheep are chased by dogs it can often take time for the effects to show on them or their unborn offspring.

The dog's owners have agreed to pay compensation for any losses.

Sgt Carter said: “We urge people to keep their dogs on a lead while they are walking in rural areas and around livestock.

“So often in these incidents the owners are horrified by what their dogs have done, but they have to accept that even the most docile of pets can quickly turn into a killer given the opportunity.”

In coming days Sussex Police will be putting up posters at popular dog walking sites warning about the problems of sheep worrying, which often increase during the spring months.

Last March, 116 sheep died from shock and from crushing in a field near Chichester, in an incident police said was the most serious in living memory.