Dog attacks on livestock cost farmers almost £2 million
People are being urged to keep their dogs on leads around sheep and lambs
Dog attacks on livestock across the UK have cost farmers almost £2 million in the last year.
Figures from NFU Mutual show the UK cost of dog attacks on livestock increased more than 50% between pre-pandemic 2019 (£1.2 million) and 2022 (£1.8 million).
It comes as heat radio continues our Take the Lead campaign looking at why there's been a rise in incidents connected with dogs, including injuries and deaths.
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Warning over dog attacks in Easter holidays
As the Easter Holidays get underway farmers are urging people to keep their dogs on leads around sheep and lambs
Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual’s Rural Affairs Specialist, said: “The Easter holidays see many people exploring the North West's beautiful countryside, but they must remember these idyllic rural destinations are key to farmers’ livelihoods and are home to thousands of sheep and new-born lambs.
“This year’s lambing season is underway across the region, so it is crucial all dog owners act responsibly by keeping their dog on a lead in areas where livestock are nearby, especially near vulnerable sheep and lambs.
“The Covid-19 pandemic saw many people owning dogs for the first time, but tragically this has been followed by a sharp increase in the cost of livestock attacks.
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“It is hard for people to imagine their friendly family pet could chase, injure or kill another animal - but all dogs are capable of this, regardless of breed or size.
“If there is an attack, it is important people accept responsibility and report it, either to the police or a local farmer, so that the injured animals are not left suffering.”
Two thirds of dog owners admit their dogs chase animals
The warning comes after NFU Mutual’s survey* of over 1,100 dog owners found that despite 64% of owners admitting their dogs chase animals, almost half (46%) believe their dog was not capable of injuring or killing livestock.
Nearly two thirds of owners (64%) say they let their dog roam off-lead in the countryside.
However, almost four in ten (39%) admit that their pets do not always come back when called.
Advice for dog owners
With many dog owners planning to visit the countryside as the weather improves and at a time when sheep are at their most vulnerable, NFU Mutual is calling for owners to:
- Keep dogs on a lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept but let go of the lead if chased by cattle
- Be aware that even small dogs can cause the distress, injury and death of farm animals
- Report attacks by dogs to the police or local farmers
- Never let dogs loose unsupervised in gardens near livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and attack sheep grazing nearby