Ribble Valley police has issued a warning to dog owners after a sheep was mauled.

The dog chased a sheep onto a frozen river where it was mauled.

Emergency services were called and the sheep required veterinary attention. The sheep could not get off the ice and emergency services had to rescue the animal.

Police are now urging pet owners to keep their dog on a lead around livestock, as it is classed as an offence if your dog attacks.

A police spokesperson said: “Please keep your dog under control and ideally on a lead around livestock.

“Any dog can chase sheep, on this occasion the owner did the responsibe thing and contacted police to report the incident.

“The sheep was chased by a dog onto the iced river where the sheep was mauled.

"Dogs worrying livestock is an offence. Enquiries are continuing into this particular incident.

“This took up resources of the farmer, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the police

"The sheep required veterinary treatment.

“The sheep could not get off the ice and emergency services had to stay at scene to prevent any well meaning members of the public falling under the ice trying to rescue the sheep themselves.

“This could have ended up with loss of life.”

Where they are worrying livestock, farmers are within their right to shoot dogs if they pose a threat to sheep and other animals.