Police are reminding dog owners in West Dunbartonshire that they must act responsibly and keep their dogs under close control in the countryside.

The warning comes after reports over the last week relating to livestock worrying in Alexandria.

A dog attacking, chasing or 'being at large' (off the lead) in a field where livestock, including sheep are kept, can lead to significant injury and often leads to the sheep being killed or destroyed.

Such attacks have a financial and emotional impact on the farmer and cause immense suffering to the animals and are avoidable if dog owners follow some simple steps.

Sergeant Gall from the Community Engagement Team at West Dunbartonshire and Argyll Police Division said: "We are once again urging anyone walking and exercising their dogs in the countryside to act responsibly and ensure that their dogs are under control at all times.

"We are also appealing to dog walkers to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code which advises that dogs shouldn’t be taken into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young farm animals."

Farmers and those who use the countryside are being urged to report all incidents of livestock worrying to police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

If a dog worries livestock on any agricultural land then the owner and, if different, the person in charge is guilty of a criminal offence.