DOG owners are being warned to keep their pets on a lead after a sheep was attacked at a nature reserve.

The attack happened on Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Chaddesley Woods nature reserve between Bromsgrove and Kidderminster this week. 

No one witnessed the incident and the injured sheep was found later by the farmer who reported the incident to the police.

Rob Allen, Reserves Team Leader for the organisation, said: “Thankfully the sheep is still alive but it is badly injured and, aside from the stress for the farmer, there are also vets bills to be paid.

“We ask that any visitors to our nature reserves keep their dogs on a lead in order to protect our wildlife. This helps breeding birds during spring and summer as well as over-wintering birds like woodcock during winter. It also prevents dogs from chasing other wildlife like brown hare or disturbing hibernating mammals like dormice.

“In addition, it helps to keep safe any livestock that might be grazing our sites. At Chaddesley Woods, for example, we have sheep grazing the wildflower-rich meadows that are situated between blocks of woodland.”

Sheep, cattle and horses are used to graze many of the Trust’s nature reserves during autumn and winter. Grazing helps to control fast-growing grasses, which allows delicate wildflowers to thrive.

The Trust does not own the livestock but works with local farmers to ensure that this traditional form of management continues.

Rob added: “As well as helping to protect wildlife and livestock by keeping dogs on leads, it is worth all dog owners remembering that it is illegal for a dog to worry sheep and that a person can be found guilty of their dog worrying without their dog having had physical contact with the animals.”