DOG owners are being reminded that their pets could be shot following an incident which resulted in two sheep having to be put down.

Police are appealing for information after a dog attacked sheep at Minions on February 7.

Officers received reports of a large brown dog worrying livestock in the area of the Cheesewring and as a result two sheep had to be destroyed due to the injuries they suffered.

Anyone with any information that may assist or who witnessed the event, is asked to contact the police. A spokesman said: 'The police would like to remind dog owners of their responsibility to keep their dogs under control. Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 the owner and anyone else who is in control of the dog at the time will be guilty of a criminal offence if it worries livestock on agricultural land.

'The owner of the sheep or livestock has a defence in law to shoot the dog to prevent injury or death to his or her livestock if the person in charge of the dogs is not in the immediate vicinity.'