The owners of a North Ayrshire farm have appealed for people to keep their pets on a leash after a sheep was killed and dozens of others chased onto rocks by a dog.

Ardneil Farm usually has livestock grazing in a field between Portencross and Hunterston for about six weeks each year, and large signs are placed around the area asking that any passers-by to keep their animals on a leash.

The farm's Euan Jack was alerted on Sunday afternoon to sheep panicking around the field. By the time he arrived one sheep was badly injured, and later died.

Jack told BBC Scotland News the flock had been chased for half an hour, with some sheep injured after climbing onto nearby rocks.

Jack said the two dog walkers told him they had not seen the signs asking that dogs be kept on a leash.

"We buy in store lambs to fatten up every year around this time. They have been born in the spring and we will then sell them early next year," he said.

"They graze there at the fields for about six weeks, until early December. We know it is usually a very popular spot for people to walk their dogs through, and we put signs up asking to keep their dog on a lead when the livestock is there.

"They had only been there for about a week and we got a phone call Sunday afternoon from our neighbour saying the sheep were being chased around by a dog."

Jack estimated that, out of 130 sheep, the majority had fled to the rocks leading out to sea. Some were trapped between the rocks, while one had been attacked and was bleeding badly.

Jack added: "The ear had been pulled off and there were puncture wounds all around the neck.

"I managed to get it off the rocks, into a pick-up and up to the farm. We tried, but we knew it wasn't going to make it."

So far, none of the other sheep have died, though some were injured or distressed after the incident.

Jack spoke to the dog walkers while there, and his mother, Frances, later posted on social media, stressing the need for a leash to be used.

Jack said: "We just want people to know this is what can happen.

"You hear every time something like this happens 'oh, it isn't like him, we can't believe it' and people just assume their dog won't do anything.

"But it's the dog's natural instinct. It's not its fault, but it needs to be on a leash. This isn't just for us, it's something dog walkers should be aware of in general."

Frances Jack not using a leash is too common, and another dog walker crossed the field with an unleashed dog while they were still dealing with the incident.

Last year, insurers NFU Mutual called for dog walkers to be more responsible ahead of the lambing season.

The company estimated £330,000 worth of farm animals had been killed or severely injured by dog attacks in 2025.