IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners are threatening an animal sanctuary.

Animals at the Pirates Cove Birds of Prey Rescue Centre at Wyke Regis in Weymouth, have been attacked by dogs whose owners are ignoring warning signs.

Centre volunteer Darren Hunt, 35, said: "The birds are going to end up dead. Owners are allowing their dogs to run around off the lead and they are coming through the gate and chasing everything.

"One of our rams was attacked and is now lame. We have to spend an extra £35 a week on injections to keep him alive. It has got so bad we are thinking of moving.

"If we go, there is nobody else to replace us and the birds will have to be put to sleep. The council and the police say that they can't do anything about it."

The voluntary centre on Pirates Lane specialises in caring for birds of prey brought in from across the country. It also looks after badgers, foxes, chickens, ferrets and rabbits.

Darren, who helps at the centre which was set up by his parents John and Ann three years ago, said that the attacks were getting more frequent.

"Last year we had four attacks but so far this year we have had 13. It's been a lot worse since they closed the fields nearby - there's a lot more people walking their dogs," he said.

"There are signs up on the lane telling dog walkers to keep their dogs on leads but people take no notice, or think we shouldn't be asking them to do that.

"It is a public footpath but it goes through private land. People should be in charge of their dogs' behaviour not letting them run off out of sight."

Darren, who has worked at the centre since a car crash left him disabled, said that owners were also putting their dogs at risk. "I am fully licensed to look after the birds and every day I let them out to fly.

"The dogs that get in are small breeds like terriers. If they come into the centre while I'm flying my Russian Eagle Owl - which has a six-foot wingspan - they could be in danger.

"I certainly would not do it deliberately, but I don't know when dogs are going to come tearing in."