LOCAL dog owners are being warned they could face a fine of up to £1,000 and risk having their pets destroyed, if they allow them to worry livestock. The reminder comes after a sheep was attacked by a dog on Woodland Trust land at Burkham, on Sunday. The animal, which had been savaged around the front legs and throat, is now under veterinary supervision. According to shepherd Owen Martin, the sheep was one of a 95-strong flock of Suffolk-cross yearlings that had been set to graze on land at Home Farm, not far from the A339 Alton to Basingstoke road. The fenced land, which is owned by the Woodland Trust, offers unrestricted access to the public. Sheep grazing is a new venture - the flock had been introduced just a week earlier, as part of an environmentally-friendly conservation programme to keep the grass down. Mr Martin, who keeps his own flock and is shepherd for the Herriard estate, said that he had checked the Burkham flock early on Sunday morning and they had been fine. But on returning at around midday he had found one of the animals with blood on its front. On closer inspection he found that the animal had been bitten by a dog. The sheep was taken to the vets to be stitched and appeared to be recovering. Recognised as an occupational hazard by shepherds, Owen Martin blames the few irresponsible dog owners who fail to abide by the rules. Having staged a successful open day at Home Farm to tell regular users about plans to graze sheep on half the land, the Woodland Trust has posted notices reminding owners to keep animals on a lead in the sheep enclosure. "It's common sense," said Mr Martin, who added that, there was "no such thing as a bad dog, just bad dog owners. "Owners should have the responsibility and courtesy to observe the rules otherwise they are letting their animals down," said Mr Martin, who pointed out that if dogs are allowed to run with sheep they will do what is natural to them and it could have dire consequences. Pc Clive Brown, who is investigating the sheep- worrying incident confirmed a person in control of a dog that worries livestock can be subject of a fine of up to £1,000. Farmers do have the right to shoot a dog seen harassing livestock.