Countryside walkers urged to prevent dog attacks on farm animals in Cornwall this Easter

A warning has gone out to countryside walkers across Cornwall, as they are urged to help prevent dog attacks on farm animals over the Easter weekend.

Rural insurer NFU Mutual say it is a critical time for farmers as the spring lambing period is now well underway, meaning ewes and new born lambs are often grazing close to footpaths, which can put them at risk of dog attacks.

With summer beach bans for dogs gradually coming into force, an increasing number of people are expected to head to the countryside over the Bank Holiday break.

Many farm animals are seriously injured or killed each year in dog attacks and the issue of livestock worrying cost the region an estimated £185,000 last year, according to NFU Mutual statistics.

Across the UK, the cost of dog attacks rose by over 10% in 2020 to an estimated £1.3m.

Not only can contact result in horrific and even fatal injuries, the distress of the chase can also cause sheep to die, miscarry or separate lambs from their mothers.

According to a survey of dog owners commissioned by NFU Mutual, 88% of people say they now walk their dog in the countryside. The pandemic has seen a surge in pet ownership and countryside visitors, and there are concerns some will be unfamiliar with the Countryside Code and how their pet may react around livestock.

“These attacks cause an immense amount of suffering to animals and are devastating for farmers to have to deal with. Even if a dog doesn’t make contact with a sheep it can still cause terrible distress to the animal.

“These incidents are all so easily preventable if owners keep their dogs under control, either on a lead or secure when they’re in gardens, when livestock may be nearby. With warmer weather on the way, it’s not surprising that more people will be wanting to get out and about and enjoy the countryside. It’s vital that dog owners take those small steps that can save a lot of heartache and upset.”

Roz Hills, South West Regional Manager at NFU Mutual

Walkers are also being urged to report any incidents of livestock worrying they may witness. The ‘What3Words’ app can be used to pinpoint your exact location, so you can report where you have seen an incident to within a 3m x 3m area. Attacks can leave livestock with painful injuries, so prompt and accurate information could save animals hours of suffering.

“I would urge all to take note of the NFU Mutual’s advice and report all incidents to the police. Livestock worrying is a criminal offence and has a devastating impact on livestock, farmers and in some circumstances the dog and the owner.

“During 2020 over 300 animals were killed or injured in dog attacks across Devon and Cornwall. We have recently launched a ‘Take the Lead’ campaign to raise awareness of the issue and to encourage people to report all incidents of livestock worrying to the police.

“If you do witness an attack on livestock do not intervene, keep yourself safe and call 999. For all other livestock worrying incidents please email 101@dc.police.uk or report crime online”

PC Chris Collins, Rural Affairs Officer for Devon & Cornwall Police

To make dog walking safe, NFU Mutual is issuing the following advice:

 Always keep dogs on the 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 lap dogs can chase, injure and kill farm animals

 Take special care to keep close control of dogs unused to farm animals

 Report attacks by dogs and sightings of dogs roaming the countryside to the police or local farmers

 Don’t let dogs loose and unsupervised in gardens adjoining livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and attack sheep grazing nearby

Advice on preventing dogs attacking livestock is available from NFU Mutual’s website.

"What was worse, was that the dog owner showed no remorse at all..."

Anthony Old is a fourth generation sheep farmer based in the North Cornwall village of St Minver.

In 2020 he experienced two dog attacks on his land, resulting in pregnant ewes miscarrying their lambs and others having to be put to sleep due to the severity of their injuries. The first incident happened in January and resulted in the death of three pregnant ewes after a dog got into a field containing 110 sheep.

Anthony, 56, recalls: “We think the dog got through the hedge with all the bushes and thorns. It was late evening and by the time we got there all the sheep were panting and clearly in great distress, they were everywhere. The dog had them backed up against the hedge, which was very close to a busy road.

“All of the ewes were pregnant and only about a month away from lambing. As a result of the stress of being chased, three of them miscarried. We gave them penicillin and treatment to try to fight infection, but it was too late and we had to make the decision to put them to sleep. What was worse, was that the dog owner showed no remorse at all.”

In November 2020, a further fatal attack took place. Anthony says: “A dog escaped into the field and chased the sheep all around the field. I think the dog picked off three of the weaker ones and went for them. By the time we got to them, two had suffered really bad bites to the backs of their legs and we had to put them down. Luckily the third one did recover.

“It really is not good. As a farmer you do your best to look after the animals and their welfare and then something like this happens and it’s just a terrible mess and you see them suffering with horrific bite marks and open wounds.”

Anthony’s message to dog walkers is a simple one. He says: “Please, be responsible. Any dog that is on a public footpath, especially where it is going over farmland, should be on a lead. Most people are responsible but there are a few that aren’t and don’t have that respect. Also, if your dog is allowed out into a garden, make sure it’s secure and that they can’t escape.”

Anthony Old, sheep farmer from north Cornwall

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