DOG owners have been warned by police they risk their pets being shot if they allow them to run loose near livestock.
Dyfed-Powys Police’s specialist rural crime team issue the stark warning when it shared a message from a Brecon Beacons National Park warden on Twitter.
Police said owners would need to explain to their families why their "beloved pet" had been shot.
Sheep worrying, when dogs run loose and distress sheep, is an offence and owners are supposed to keep dogs on leads near farm animals.
Brecon Beacons National Park warden Jon Pimm, using his personal Twitter account, posted that a farmer at Mynydd Illtud Common, near Brecon, had reported dogs chasing pregnant ewes. He used the hashtag ’don’t get me shot’ with his tweet.
He posted the message this morning with a photograph of the word ’warden’ on a national park authority vehicle. His message read: "Reports from a local farmer of dogs chasing pregnant ewes on Mynydd Illtud Common. Please keep your dogs under control when near livestock or in an area livestock maybe present. #dontgetmeshot".
Dyfed-Powys Police’s rural crime team has urged him to report the incident, via the 101 non-emergency number, and also re-posted his tweet with its own stark warning.
A tweet from the police reminded owners they are responsible for their dogs and of the possible dire consequences if they fail to do so.
The tweet from the official police account warned: "Your Dog, Your Responsibilty! Do you want to explain to your family why your beloved family pet has been shot?"