Summer holiday risk of sheep worrying, NSA warns
The NSA is urging dog owners to behave responsibly in the countryside.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) has reminded dog owners going out into the countryside this summer of the risk their pet poses to sheep.
The organisation has said that the recent rise in the number of people going on holiday in the UK rather than abroad, combined with the increase in people taking their dogs on holiday, is leading to a heightened risk of sheep worrying during the summer holidays.
Sheep worrying, which can include dogs chasing sheep and physical attacks, can cause injury, miscarriage, and death. A survey of sheep farmers by the NSA earlier this year found that 70 per cent of respondents had experienced an attack in the past 12 months.
Owners are being asked to ensure their dog is kept on a lead if there's a possibility of encountering sheep. This is especially important in areas unfamiliar to the dog walker, where they may unexpectedly come across livestock.
Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive, said: “Please keep your dog on a lead whenever there is a chance sheep could be nearby and avoid walking closely to them if at all possible.
“You may not consider your dog capable of causing physical injury to another animal but barking and chasing are instinctive responses that will cause great stress to sheep and unfortunately in many cases this also leads to physical attacks causing pain and suffering and in the worst incidents even death.”
Stronger powers for the police to tackle livestock worrying had been included in the Kept Animals Bill, but the legislation was dropped by the UK Government in May, much to the frustration of animal welfare and industry organisations.
In Scotland, where tougher laws have been introduced by the devolved government, owners of dogs that worry or attack livestock can receive a maximum fine of £40,000 or a 12-month prison sentence.
Mr Stocker added: “Sheep farmers across the UK have suffered an increase in sheep worrying attacks by dogs over recent years as dog ownership has increased and walking in the countryside has become a more popular pastime.
“It is crucially important that dog owners must be aware of the serious issue of sheep worrying by dogs and take action to be a responsible dog owner whilst enjoying their holidays this summer.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
