'Your dog, your duty' - plea to keep Wiltshire pets on leads as lambing season approaches
A Wiltshire farmer says EVERY single dog is capable of sheep worrying
Last updated 19th Mar 2021
As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, Wiltshire Police has launched a fresh appeal to keep farm animals safe.
The force is concerned that, with people starting to go out and about again, there is a rising danger of dogs going off their lead and worrying livestock.
Officers are urging owners to keep their pets under control, especially 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 dog biting or attacking farm animals, the offence includes any livestock suffering.
In the case of pregnant ewes, the trauma of being chased can cause their lambs to be aborted.
'It can be traumatic'
Sergeant Greg Fergusson, Rural Crime Lead at Wiltshire Police, said:
"We are asking all dog owners to help us 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".
'We've had ewes killed by dogs'
One local farmer knows only too 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," he told Greatest Hits Radio.
"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 dogs on a lead.
DOUBLE CHECK BEFORE ENTERING A FIELD
Owners are also being reminded that it sometimes isn't immediately obvious a field has livestock, as sheep 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".
Residents who spot anything suspicious around livestock worrying are now being encouraged to call police on 101.