Sheep worrying victim urges owners to be responsible when walking dogs

Dog owners in Wiltshire are being urged to keep their dogs on a lead and under control when near livestock.

James, a sheep farmer in Wiltshire and repeat victim of sheep worrying, has shared how the offence has impacted him.

"As a sheep farmer, it’s the one call you’re always dreading," he said, adding the most recent case was just a couple of weeks ago.

He said some sheep had to be put down and others needed intervention from a vet.

"There’s nothing worse than turning up to a field and there’s blood all over the sheep and there are dead ones lying around. It’s horrific," James said.

He added: "When you get the call, your first thing to do is to get there quick and stop it, and once it's been stopped it's finding out what damage has been done."

James said he spends his days ensuring the sheep are safe and then finds himself dealing with the aftermath of other people's decisions.

James revealed that he's yet to meet a dog that has 'done it on purpose, as every owner he's met insists it is 'out of character' for their dog to behave in that way.

"I've not had a problem with people that walk their dog through the sheep as most of the time people are completely respectful and have their dog on a lead and under good control," he said.

The most recent incident happened despite the owner being half a mile a way.

James explained that the dog had apparently chased something and "just happened to find itself in a field of sheep".

The dog did catch a sheep, although the damage was minimal, the trauma remained with the animals.

"For a while after, the sheep were on edge because they're into that panic mode of 'What's coming? What's coming?'" he said.

With lambing season fast approaching, James said that a dog chasing a sheep can have major consequences on pregnant sheep, saying the ramifications "don't bear thinking about".

PC Howick from the Rural Crime Team said: “Over recent weeks, Wiltshire Police have seen an increase in the number of reports of sheep being attacked by dogs. We are asking the public, when out enjoying the countryside, that you are vigilant and respectful of sheep in fields.”

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