If you were witness to this assault on a farmer in a field near Wool, Dorset Police would like you to come forward.

At about 5.30pm on Tuesday 6 September 2022, a farmer entered a field in a vehicle near East Burton Road where he saw a dog chasing after sheep. He used his vehicle to protect the sheep and attempted to move the dog – which was described as a Doberman-type with black pointed ears – away.

It is reported that the male dog owner approached the farmer and assaulted him. When the offender let go, the victim told the man to get his dog under control.

The man took the keys to the victim’s vehicle and continued to assault him, before eventually stopping and leaving in the direction of Woolbridge.

The dog owner is described as white, approximately six feet tall and of stocky build with a bald head and a beard. He was wearing a grey hooded top with a basketball logo on the front, purple shorts and black sliders.

Police Constable Max Vallance, of Purbeck police, said: “This was a distressing incident for the victim and I am carrying out a number of enquiries to identify the offender.

“I would urge anyone who recognises the man and his dog from the descriptions given to please contact Dorset Police.

“Also, I would like to remind dog owners of the importance of keeping your dog on a lead when it is near livestock as it can have devastating consequences.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220146239. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.