With large numbers of families expected to take their pets for walks in the South West countryside this half term, dog owners are being urged to keep their pets under control whenever farm animals could be close by.

A leading rural insurer, NFU Mutual is launching a campaign to encourage dog walkers to keep their four legged friends close by and away from livestock.

Between January and April 2017, when pregnant ewes and new born lambs are often grazing on low-lying pasture in areas more accessible to walkers, the average cost of claims to NFU Mutual more than doubled compared to the rest of year.

The campaign has been launched following data which shows that livestock worrying costs have increased by 67 per cent in the last two years, with an estimated £1.6m cost to agriculture.

The South West was the third worst affected part of the UK by cost, after Scotland and the Midlands.

New research by NFU Mutual revealed that 80 per cent of dog owners exercise their pets in the countryside and 60 per cent let them roam off the lead. In addition, seven per cent of owners admitted their pets had chased livestock in the past.

The insurer is encouraging farmers in the South West to check their livestock regularly, put up warning signs and ask local people to report any sightings of out of control dogs to a local farmer or the police.

The South West regional manager for NFU Mutual, Chris Roberts said dog attacks on livestock are one of a “farmers’ worst nightmares”. The attacks can have a “severe financial impact” for the famers.

Insurance can cover the cost of replacing killed stock and the treatment of injured animals, but there is “a knock-on effect on farm profits” when pregnant sheep chased by dogs lose lambs, explained Chris.

“While attacks can be caused by dogs ranging from the smallest pampered pets to the largest, fierce-looking animals, we are hearing that large husky breeds are involved in a lot of the recent cases.

“We are also getting reports that many attacks are being caused by dogs which have been let out in owners’ gardens and escaped to worry sheep in neighbouring fields.

“As the insurer of nearly three-quarters of the UK’s farmers and many hobby farmers, we understand the heartbreak and huge financial loss that dog attacks cause.”

Dog owners are advised to keep dogs on the lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are and to report any sightings of dogs attacking other animals.