Wiltshire sheep ‘attacked’ as police warn dog owners
Marlborough Police say dog owners should keep their pets on leads
Last updated 18th Dec 2023
Sheep have been seriously injured in suspected dog attacks in Marlborough.
Marlborough Police is asking dog owners to keep their pets on a lead after a series of incidents in the Granham Hill area.
The force says in the most recent incident reported to them, a dog owner let their dog chase and harass sheep, with one of the animals jumping into the brambles to escape the dog.
Neighbourhood PCSO Melissa Camilleri said: “Unfortunately we have received graphic images from farmers of the injuries sustained by sheep, inflicted by what is thought to be dogs not on leads.
“This is completely unacceptable.
“There is a reason that it is a criminal offence to allow a dog to worry livestock such as sheep by attacking it or chasing it.”
Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, dog owners and anyone in charge of the dog at the time are deemed responsible if the animal worries livestock on agricultural land.
PCSO Camilleri continued: “Even if the dog doesn’t catch the sheep, chasing it can do serious damage, as the fear caused by the dogs can cause sheep to die and pregnant ewes to miscarry their lambs.
“Sheep fleeing dogs can also be injured in their attempts to escape, and can cause damage to fences and field boundaries in the process.
“It is the dog owner’s responsibility to ensure their dog is kept on a lead – so please be careful as you can never be sure about how they will react.”