A farmer who has seen two sheep attacks in a fortnight, including one committed by a sausage dog, while the owners were taking their daily exercise fears that this Easter weekend could spell trouble.

His warning comes as Kent County Council (KCC) says more people are traipsing the county's rural footpaths since the Coronavirus restrictions were introduced.

This has left some landowners concerned about a risk to livestock, caused by gates being left open and out of control canines.

One sheep belonging to Stephen Glover, a farmer from Harley, near Dartford, was was left with a bloodied face and rear after a dachshund chased it through a fence and another was left in bitten by a labrador.

Both survived but were in shock, as were the rest of the flock.

Mr Glover said: "The owners of the sausage dog weren't even in the field, they were on the other side of the hedge on the footpath. They were letting it run around and have fun, but the moment dogs smell blood they completely change and turn into what they are, an animal."

Mr Glover says that two attacks so close together is highly unusual and more people than ever are walking on his land since the restrictions.

'We have got a lot o people who aren't used to walks in the countryside...'

On some occasions people have been walking on the field while Mr Glover and his workers have been sewing and spraying crops, meaning their work is interrupted.

The chairman of the Dartford National Farmer's Union branch has been told that one motorist parked his car in front of a gate, leaving a tractor driver unable to get out.

He added that after the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson went into hospital the volume of walkers dwindled slightly but predicted more ramblers this weekend.

Mr Glover said: "The problem is we have got a lot of people who aren't used to walks in the countryside. We are going to get more problems with Easter weekend coming. We have got a big staff and we have got to be everywhere and checking on the animals."

Insurance firm NFU Mutual have also urged walkers to keep dogs under control while exercising on farmland, following a recent series of attacks on sheep across the UK.

This is at a time when ewes and their new-born lambs are particularly vulnerable.

Rebecca Davidson, NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist, said: “These horrific attacks have left a trail of dead and seriously-injured sheep and new-born lambs.

“Livestock worrying causes appalling suffering to sheep and lambs, and during the coronavirus crisis the threat of attacks it is adding to farmers’ anxiety when they are already under immense pressure.

"Even if a dog doesn’t make contact, the distress and exhaustion of the chase can cause a sheep to die. Many walkers are also failing to clear up after their dog, which can spread disease to livestock.

“Some farming areas are experiencing increased numbers of walkers with dogs, with farmers having to spend additional time patrolling flocks to try and prevent attacks which is hindering them from getting on with the vital task of producing food for the nation.

Farm animals worth £1.2m were savaged by dogs last year, according to NFU Mutual.

Landowners do not have the legal right to block or obstruct public rights of way.

But, in limited circumstances, where large numbers are using their routes, KCC have offered the following advice to farmer: tie gates open if it is safe to do so, so that walkers do not need to touch them, temporarily display notices that encourage users to respect residents and workers by following social distancing guidelines and consider using alternative routes that do not pass through gardens, farmyards or schools. Farmers can also display signs offering an alternative route around gardens and farmyards, where it is safe to do so.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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