LIVES of newborn lambs are being threatened by fly-tippers and litter louts, it has been claimed this week.

And others have been attacked by dogs in a sickening string of attacks at the rented plot near Sharphaw Avenue, alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Skipton.

Now, sisters Laura and Kirsty Mitton are appealing to people to stop dumping rubbish on the land, where 28 ewes and their offspring graze, and to keep their pets under control.

The animals are in danger of choking on discarded wrappers, plastic bottles, bottle caps and other rubbish thrown into the field rented by their father, Chris, who farms at Bolton-by-Bowland.

Six lambs have died choking on discarded litter during the past three years, including two this year.

The sisters have to shift piles of the rubbish every day, using a dumped shopping trolley to carry it to a nearby bin about 200 yards away.

Lambs have also been attacked by dogs and, during the past few days, the sisters have been bottle-feeding and newborns, whose legs were injured in the attacks.

Laura has reported the fly-tipping, which includes items as big as a sink and a sofa, to Craven District Council. But she says as yet, no action has been taken.

Laura, 25, of Clitheroe Street in Skipton, added: "We're having a constant battle to keep the stock alive and unharmed... and some people are blaming us.

"It's a disgusting mess and it's getting worse.

"Me and my sister go every day to check the animals and to feed them. We're doing our best but its an uphill battle.

"It's also obvious people are letting their dogs loose because there is dog mess in the middle of the field – how else is it getting there? One of the worse things was a bag of dead chickens. There has even been urine in bottles.

"There are good people around here, who keep us informed about what is happening, but the council needs to take action."

A Craven District Council spokesman said: “Our cleaner neighbourhood officers have been down to the site next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and Pinder Bridge and investigated the reports.

"The land is privately owned so it is the landowner’s responsibility to take action.

“Fly-tipping can be difficult to prosecute and we need help from members of the public in order to take action against those who spoil our countryside. Ideally, we need people to report number plates and descriptions of those vehicles and persons who are responsible for tipping waste. We then need the witness to give a formal statement so we can proceed.”

Anyone with information about fly-tipping in Craven can report it by calling 01756 700600 or by filling in the form at the cravendc.gov.uk/article/1742/Report-fly-tipping web page.

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Craven Herald, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.