A court has heard how seven ewes lost their lambs following an attack by an out-of-control dog.

Carlisle Magistrate's Court was told how Emily Parry of Beckstones Farm in Caldbeck was driving on a road across from the farm on January 5 when she saw her ewes huddled together.

"She saw two people, an adult female and a boy with a large dog not on its lead," explained prosecutor Diane Jackson.

"She said the dog was chasing and biting some sheep."

At this point she got out of her car and confronted Sally Massingham and her son.

"She shouted at her to get the dog under control," continued Mrs Jackson.

"She said, 'I am calling police', to which Mrs Massingham replied, 'no, don't call the police'."

Massingham, of Millhouse near Hesket Newmarket, then managed to get the dog back onto its lead and under control.

Mrs Jackson read out a statement on behalf of Joseph Mounsey, who scanned the sheep following the incident.

"I have done this for around 12 years and I went to Beckstones Farm to carry out scans.

"Of the 74 ewes scanned, seven had lost lambs," he said.

Choosing to represent herself, Massingham told the court: "I accept responsibility for what my dog did."

Massingham said she tried to settle the issue out of court by offering to pay compensation, but her request was denied due to the large sums of money involved.

The 51-year-old also rejected that there were more than 70 lambs in the field, with her estimating there were about 20 in the vicinity.

District Judge John Temperley ordered Massingham to pay £700 in compensation for the lambs lost. Massingham has 28 days to pay the total in full, Judge Temperley told the defendant.

The District Judge said he was unable to prove the incident had caused the death of all seven lambs.