Farmers warned to take action amid growing numbers of rural visitors
Farmers are being warned to take steps to protect livestock as summer holiday season fuels concerns over dog attacks.
The National Sheep Association issued the caution following a surge in incidents over the past few years as dog owners, who may not be familiar with the area or aware that livestock may be grazing nearby, opt to visit or holiday in the countryside.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: "Sheep farmers across the UK have suffered an increase in sheep worrying attacks by dogs over recent years as dog ownership has increased and walking in the countryside has become a more popular pastime. It is crucially important that dog owners must be aware of the serious issue of sheep worrying by dogs and take action to be a responsible dog owner whilst enjoying their holidays this summer."
Attacks
A recent survey carried out by the organisation found that of the 300 sheep farmers questioned, 70 per cent had experienced a sheep worrying attack in the past 12 months. Nearly all (95 per cent) of respondents experiencing up to 10 incidences per year. On average three sheep deaths were reported each year due to a dog attack. The figure does not take into account production losses in sheep, including miscarriage, that were reported by almost three quarters of respondents.
The NSA is urging dog walkers to keep their pets on leads during walks through the countryside, no matter how obedient they consider their pet to be.
Mr Stocker continued: "Please keep your dog on a lead whenever there is a chance sheep could be nearby and avoid walking closely to them if at all possible. You may not consider your dog capable of causing physical injury to another animal but barking and chasing are instinctive responses that will cause great stress to sheep and unfortunately in many cases this also leads to physical attacks causing pain and suffering and in the worst incidents even death."
FREE signs warning dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead near livestock are available through Farmers Guardian's Take the Lead campaign, in association with the National Sheep Association.
To request yours, send a stamped self addressed A4 envelope to: FG Take the Lead, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ. We will be able to send up to 25 signs.
