Wiltshire Wildlife Trust pleads with dog owners to control them near livestock
The charity say they will consider closing sites to dog walkers if problems continue
The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, which runs a number of nature reserves across the county, says their livestock is in 'considerable danger' from dogs at the moment.
They've said they're getting reports that animals are being 'disturbed and chased by dogs on a daily basis' in areas they look after.
In one recent incident, seven dogs were found to be running amongst a group of pregnant ewes at the Coombe Bissett Down nature reserve.
We're told there here have also been regular occasions where sheep on the Devenish reserve in the Woodford Valley have been found spooked after uncontrolled dogs have been in the area.
The charity's now warning that if there are continued incidents, they will have to close sites in order to protect livestock.
They're now asking dog walkers to keep their pets on leads at their nature reserves.
In a statement, the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has said:
"Visitors to nature reserve sites are asked to always observe the clearly visible signs, telling them that dogs must be kept on leads and kept out of certain sensitive areas entirely. The Trust has had wildlife and livestock killed and injured by dogs previously, and the stress to them alone can cause considerable harm.
"The Trust is urging all dog owners who visit one of their sites to please keep all dogs on the lead, to help protect the health and happiness of the wildlife and animals who live there."