A FARMER shot his neighbour's dog which had savaged two sheep grazing on his land at Spirthill near Calne.

Calne Police however, said the farmer had been within his rights to shoot the collie when it broke into his field and attacked the sheep.

A spokesman said the owners of the dog, who are also farmers, accepted that their neighbour was within his rights to shoot their dog.

They had since agreed to pay compensation for the two dead sheep.

The owner of the flock of sheep, who has not been named, from Yatton, near Bristol, said he estimated each ewe to be worth £80 to £90.

The police spokesman said: "If a dog worries a sheep it can cause the animal to suffer from a potentially lethal condition called blue tongue, which then makes its mouth swell up."

He said the incident, which happened at the end of last month, had served to remind the public how important it is to keep their dogs on a lead particularly at this time of year when sheep are lambing.

A spokesman for the National Farmers' Union, said: "Sheep worrying becomes more of a problem when the weather starts to improve and more people go out for walks in the country.

"But unfortunately sheep worrying is something that can happen all year round.

"People need to make sure they keep their dogs on a lead and stick to the path rather than wandering off.

"If people are taking their dog for a walk they must keep it under control if they are near livestock."