WESTBURY farmer Owen Singer has been overwhelmed with support after posting a warning on Facebook to dog owners that he will shoot their pets if they are not on a lead, following the death of four of his sheep.

The 39-year-old took to social media on Sunday after the four animals were killed across the Christmas and New Year period at Penleigh Farm.

In his post he described how “we farm as a business”, that “all walkers will be asked to stay on the footpath and bridle way with dogs on the lead” and that “I have never had to do this and am disgusted that it has come to this”.

One of the sheep was killed after having its jaw torn off, another after its back legs and udder were torn open, one drowned after being chased into the river by a dog and the final animal died through stress.

“I would say probably 99 per cent of the posts have been positive,” said Mr Singer, whose family have owned Penleigh Farm since the 1940s.

“There are a few people who misinterpreted that I’m going to go out and shoot them for the fun of it which isn’t the case, but I’ve been overwhelmed with support.

“It shows people do respect.

“The most common thing I get from the dog owner when we catch the dog is “it’s just playing” when they are chasing the sheep but they think they are being hunted.

“They get stressed and are newly pregnant meaning they can abort the foetus.

“My lambing percentage is cast iron every year, I know what I’m going to get but I fully expect that to be a lot lower this year.

“We put signs up asking people to keep dogs on leads but they keep getting destroyed by people.”

Mr Singer, who currently has nearly 200 yews, rams and lambs on the farm, has now increased patrols in an attempt to make sure no more are killed.

In 2010, a total of ten lambs were killed at the farm and four more seriously injured after being attacked by dogs.

PC Charly Chilton from Wiltshire Police, said: “Dog owners must keep their pets under control at all times, not only for the benefit of other animals but for the safety of other people.

“It is an offence for a dog to worry livestock which includes attacking sheep, chasing them in a way that may cause injury or suffering.

“Dog attacks affect not only the livestock who are injured or killed, but the rest of the animals also suffer from the stress of the incident.

“It can be easily prevented by dog owners avoiding areas where there are sheep or cows and keeping their dogs on leads when passing these fields.

“Dogs should be kept in sight at all times and ensure that it does not stray off the path or area you have right of access to.

“Much farmland is private and anyone walking their dogs in these areas are trespassing.”