Dog owners living in or visiting the countryside with their pooches have been warned about the need to protect farm animals. Spring is a perfect season for a rural ramble, but it is also an important time for farmers. Puppies.co.uk has issued a warning to dog owners which it says will help them avoid legal "trouble".

A spokesperson for the puppy sales site said: "Understandably, spring is a wonderful time to explore the countryside with your dog. This is a particularly sensitive time for farmers and a dog’s actions can have serious consequences, even if they are unintentional. After all, even the calmest dog can panic livestock. Stress can result in injuries, miscarriages, or even death. That’s why keeping your dog on a lead around livestock isn’t just courteous - it’s essential."

The spokesperson said any dog, regardless of its size or breed, can act unpredictably around animals they don’t know.

While many dogs wouldn’t deliberately harm livestock, once a chase begins it can be very difficult to regain control, according to Puppies.co.uk.

In a stark warning, the spokesperson cautioned: "It’s also worth noting that in some cases farmers are legally allowed to shoot dogs that are attacking their animals.

"It’s important to be a responsible dog owner wherever you live, but there are some extra things to consider when living in or visiting the countryside with your dog."

The National Sheep Association (NSA) advises farmers to only shoot dogs as a last resort and warns doing so can lead to a criminal charge.

By law, a farmer would have to be able to show they acted in the belief their property was in immediate danger and the actions were reasonable in the circumstances.

Puppies.co.uk has listed the following steps which it said you can take to stay safe and respectful:

- Keep your dog on a short lead near livestock and ground-nesting birds

- Watch out for signs on gates or fences

- Stick to marked paths and avoid entering fields with young animals

- Make sure your garden is secure – many attacks happen when dogs escape from their homes

- Always clean up after your dog and take any litter home