Lamb had to be shot by farmer after being chased over cliff edge by dog in Bude
Sadly the RSPCA were unable to rescue it due to dangerous landslides
There are calls for dogs to be kept on leads after a lamb was chased over a cliff in Cornwall.
Locals say it happened near Duckpool Cove in Bude over the Easter weekend.
Coastguard crews and RSPCA officers were called out but due to recent landslides the area was too dangerous to carry out a rescue.
Teams tried to encourage the animal down but it didn't work.
It meant the animal had to be shot by a farmer and the animal welfare charity says it was a really upsetting situation.
Dog owners are being urged to keep their pets on leads around livestock and around the coastline.
A spokesperson for the animal welfare charity said: “This is a really upsetting situation and we are really saddened that despite efforts it was not possible to rescue the lamb.
“Our experienced rescue teams are well practiced in rope rescues and regularly help animals stranded in tricky situations, including along this particular stretch of the Cornish coastline. Sadly, recent landslides have made the area unstable and dangerous for teams to carry out safe rescues.
“Our rescue officers attended the location and worked closely with the farmer after first being alerted by the coastguard on Saturday afternoon.
“Assessments of the cliff face were also made by experienced climbers who agreed with the charity and coast guards that the land slides had made the area too unstable to carry out a rope rescue.
“Further attempts were made to encourage the lamb to make its own way down from the cliff, including leaving the lamb for a period of time, and using methods of encouragement.
“This was a really heartbreaking situation for everyone involved, including those who witnessed the trapped lamb while on the beach below during the bank holiday weekend, and shows the importance of keeping dogs on leads around livestock - especially around coastlines.”
RSPCA spokesperson