'Your dog, your duty': Plea to keep pets on leads as lambing season approaches
A Chalke Valley farmer says EVERY single dog is capable of sheep worrying
Last updated 19th Mar 2021
Wiltshire Police is concerned as lockdown begins to ease and people start to go out and about again there is an increasing danger that dogs off the lead will worry sheep and other livestock.
The force is particularly concerned as lambing season will soon be in full swing.
Livestock worrying is a criminal offence and the penalty can be six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £1000.
Although traditionally thought of as a dog biting or attacking livestock it also includes where suffering is caused, in the case of pregnant ewes the trauma being chased can cause them to abort their lambs.
PLEA TO USE A LEAD
Sergeant Greg Fergusson, Rural Crime Lead at Wiltshire Police, said;
"We are asking all dog owners to help us to protect livestock in Wiltshire by putting your dog on a lead."
"It can be traumatic for farmers who have to deal with the aftermath of an incident, not to mention the financial impacts it has."
"Whether your dog is large or small, naughty or well behaved, the message is simple: Your dog, your duty. Keep your dog on a lead when you are near livestock. "
"You can't assume your dog's good nature means it won't chase or attack livestock. If your dog's natural instinct to chase livestock kicks in it could be too late before you realise anything is wrong.
'DISTRESSING'
One local farmer knows only two well the devastating impact of sheep worrying.
Rob Hawke farms at Bishopstone in the Chalke Valley and currently has 1600 pregnant ewes.
"We've experienced sheep worrying to various degrees. We've had ewes killed by dogs to incidents where they've been terrorised and chased. The most recent one was where two ewes were chased by some dogs and ended up in the river and drowned."
"It's really distressing, obviously our ultimate aim as farmers is animal welfare. I take great pride in looking after our sheep to the best of our ability and to find sheep that have been terrorised to death basically is very disturbing."
Rob is clear that "every single dog is capable of sheep worrying" and echoes Wiltshire Police's plea to keep your dog on a lead.
DOUBLE CHECK BEFORE ENTERING A FIELD
Owners are also reminded that sometimes it isn't immediately obvious a field has livestock in as sheep can often huddle in a far corner.
Sergeant Fergusson says dog owners must double check.
"The public need to be aware that sometimes when entering a field, you may only be able to see a small part of it. So, you need to be 100% sure before you go in that there are no livestock out of sight, maybe over the brow of a hill."
"We want people to be able to enjoy the countryside. If people are out using the public rights of way with a dog, use a bit of common sense. Use a lead if there is livestock around and don't deviate from the footpaths as potentially, they could be trespassing."
If you see anything suspicious, please call 101 or 999 if you can see a crime is in progress. Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.