A WOMAN whose dog killed a sheep pregnant with two lambs has been hit with a £1,200 court bill.

Jasmine Gee, of Hoo Green Lane, Mere, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog which worried livestock on agricultural land at Rainow in Macclesfield on February 16, this year.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "The dog killed a sheep which was pregnant with two lambs at the time."

Gee was ordered to pay £678 compensation, £312 fine, £120 costs and £125 victim surcharge.

The defendant was given permission to pay the £1,235 court bill in £500 instalments starting on May 9.

Rural police officers have reiterated a warning against dogs attacking livestock.

PC Richard Walker, of the Macclesfield rural team, said: “For small farmers, in particular, livestock worrying is devastating because it has a huge impact on their productivity and breeding plans.

“This is not just a local issue but a national one, dog attacks on livestock have reached record levels.

“In some cases attacks on sheep by dogs force some farmers out of business while others are having to sleep rough to protect them.”

It is an offence to allow a dog to worry sheep, either by chasing or attacking them.

In some cases, farmers are allowed to shoot dogs if they are endangering their sheep – as long as they have a lawful excuse.

Farmers are being urged to regularly check their stock, put up warning signs, maintain boundaries and report any attacks to police immediately.