Sheep causing havoc 'blocking roads and chewing up gardens' in Rochdale
Flocks of up to 20 sheep have been spotted munching on people's flowers
Sheep are on the loose and causing havoc in the Shawclough area of Rochdale.
The animals are regularly spotted roaming around the houses in the residential areas north of Rochdale, but furious residents they have been chewing up gardens and blocking roads.
Coun Shah Wazir, who represents the Healey ward where the sheep are causing trouble, believes this is a health and safety concern.
The cabinet member for highways says the problem needs to be resolved before a serious accident happens on the roads.
Flocks of up to 20 sheep have been spotted eating people’s flowers, churning up lawns and holding up traffic. It has been going on for almost a year now, according to locals.
“It’s causing a huge problem for the residents in the area,” Coun Wazir explained. “It has been going on for many, many months now – since early 2024.
“The sheep are causing a potential hazard for motorists. It’s a danger to the lives of the sheep and humans.”
Coun Wazir went on to say residents are having to fork out for new flowers for their garden that get chomped up by the grazing sheep. With Spring here and Summer just around the corner, Coun Wazir sees this problem escalating.
The council have worked with the community ranger to look for gaps in fencing around fields allowing sheep to escape. The local authority has also consulted with farmers to keep a watchful eye on their flocks, even the police have got involved – but no solution has been reached.
Coun Wazir continued: “We are looking for a solution because we don;t want anyone getting injured. I want to avoid any issue or accident before it happens.
“It’s about protecting the local residents from this safety issue.”