A campaign group is calling on south Bucks farmers to report attacks on their livestock after figures revealed as many as 500 sheep – many of them pregnant – have been killed by dogs in 2016.

The shocking statistics come after a Chalfont St Giles farmer lost seven baby lambs in a ‘devastating’ attack earlier this month.

The attack, which farmer Edward Mogford claiming could cost his up to £1,000, led to calls for a change in the law.

A new campaign has been launched alongside the Kennel Club, the National Farmers Union and the police, to encourage farmers to report such incidents to assess the scale of the problem.

SheepWatch UK, who features on BBC’s Countryfile last month, hope to form a “community response to a national problem” by raising awareness of the issue.

As well as calling on farmer to send brief reports of incidents, the group is producing a toolkit to help local communities work with farmers and dog owners to reduce the number of incidents.

The kit, which will be launched at the end of this month, will include ideas for how farmers can improve their signs and keep the public appraised.

Farmers, Parish Councils and members of the public can register their interest in receiving a copy of the toolkit at http://www.terena.co.uk/sheepwatch-uk.html.