DOG walkers have been urged to keep their pets under control after reports of livestock worrying near Abingdon.

Police tweeted on Saturday warning farmers that there have been recent reports of such incidents around Abingdon and Wootton.

Officers added: "If you are taking dogs on walks in the better weather please walk them responsibly, or you could be committing an offence."

According to the Kennel Club, livestock worrying is defined as attacking livestock, chasing livestock in a way that might cause injury or suffering to livestock, and being 'at large' (not under close control or on a lead) in a field or enclosure where there are sheep.

Just last month police launched an appeal to track down a killer dog, after it mauled a sheep to death and seriously injured one other.

READ AGAIN: 'Small brown dog' mauls sheep to death

The ewe, which was expecting twins, was fatally attacked in a private fenced field close to Days Lock, near Little Wittenham.

Witnesses reported that there was no urgency from the dog's owner to stop it.

In January a dog, which was not on its lead, mauled a sheep at the Earth Trust Farm in Little Wittenham.

READ AGAIN: Pictures reveal extent of dog attack on sheep (warning - graphic content)

The sheep suffered a puncture wound to her groin and she needed a significant number of stitches on her face.

Following that incident, shepherd Emma Blomfield, one of the farm's tenants, urged dog walkers to be aware of livestock.

She said at the time: "It is not the dog’s fault - owners need to be more vigilant when walking around farmland.

"Even if you think your dog is well-behaved, situations can escalate quickly. Please, please keep your dog on a lead around livestock."