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Police have issued a warning to dog owners after a recent spate of livestock worrying incidents which led to the deaths of five sheep from drowning.

Lincolnshire Police Rural Crime Action Team (LPRCAT) said it had attended several incidents of sheep worrying incidents in Harlaxton, Short Ferry, Hanby, Corby Glen and Kirby Underwood over recent months.

However, officers said they were concerned by an incident near the River Bain when a dog owner swam in flooded water to stop their dogs from attacking sheep.

Police confirmed five sheep had drowned during the incident, while another three were seriously injured and numerous others bitten, which could also have led to the loss of a human life.

See also: Three lambs and a lamb attack in North Wales

Officers warned incidents dog owners about the consequences of sheep worrying.

"We will never stamp out negligence by dog owners but we can all try and prevent it by training and keeping dogs under control and on leads in the area of livestock and wildlife," a spokesperson for LPRCAT said.

"Your dog is a killer in the countryside and it does not have to make contact with a sheep to kill it.

"Let us not forget, lethal force can be used against a dog to stop such an attack.

See also: Drone footage captures aftermath of sheep killed by dogs in Warwickshire

"We will prosecute and if necessary, we will seek to remove your legal right to keep a dog.

"Please be careful."

Free signs warning dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead near livestock are available through ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian's Take the Lead campaign, in association with the National Sheep Association.

To request yours, send a stamped self-addressed A4 envelope to: FG Take the Lead, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ.

We will be able to send up to 25 signs.

See also: Farmer wins £30k over false RSPCA cruelty claim