Dog owners are being urged to take care as lambing season gets under way.

Ashdown Forest has a flock of Hebridean sheep, which are small, black, distinctively horned animals, and is currently experiencing a "flourishing lambing season" despite harsh weather conditions.

This is good news for the forest as the Hebridean sheep are one of seven native primitive breeds that were once feared to be at risk of becoming extinct.

The sheep also help to conserve the area.

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To keep them safe, Ashdown Forest is urging dog walkers to keep their pets under control when around the sheep, especially now during lambing season.

Every year rangers at the forest, along with local landowners, see a number of attacks on the flock which results in loss of life.

The stress caused by dogs chasing sheep can also lead to stillbirths and abortions during lambing.

Ashdown Forest lead warden Kari Dunbar said: "Dogs enrich our lives in so many ways but owners who allow their dogs to follow their natural hunting instincts (which all dogs have) in the countryside when it is not appropriate are posing a risk to livestock and wildlife.

"We are asking dog owners to be prepared: it is the start of ground nesting bird season along with lambing season and soon there will be free-roaming livestock grazing on the forest.

"When you are out with your dog always keep them on the paths and in sight.

"Only let them off the lead if you are confident in their recall and you are sure there are no livestock present.

"If you come across cattle, walk around them rather than through the herd, and in the unlikely event that you are chased by cattle, release your dog, and reunite with them afterwards. If you see a dog chasing livestock or wildlife, please report it immediately to the rangers or call Sussex Police Rural Crime Team.”