Shropshire farmer urging owners to keep dogs on leads over the bank holiday
Graham Price said he is worried about 'sheep worryings'
A farmer in Shropshire is urging dog owners to keep their pets on leads whilst on walks in the countryside this bank holiday weekend.
Graham Price told us he was worried about 'sheep worryings'.
What is a 'sheep worrying'?
A 'sheep worrying' is when serious damage is caused to livestock because they have been attacked or chased by a dog.
The National Sheep Association says it is a criminal offence and farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they are endangering sheep.
The stress of being chased by a dog can cause sheep to die and pregnant ewes can miscarry their lambs.
"The dog's natural instinct is to chase"
Graham Price has a farm in South Shropshire where he keeps sheep and cattle. He said this time of year is a concern for him:
"There are a lot of lambs in the field. Our cows have calved too, and they are equally vulnerable and inquisitive.
"The lambs will run and skip around, which catches the attention of a dog. The dog's natural instinct is to chase.
"Those little lambs run off and that is when they are vulnerable to injury and even worse," he said.
"Keep your dog on the lead"
Graham told us he has had incidents in the past where he has had to put the sheep down after a worrying.
"It was a horrible sight. Most people are very responsible and have their dogs on the lead.
"The percentage that are not, I would urge them: keep your dog on the lead," he said.