Owners warned to keep dogs under control as sheep worrying escalates

Glamorgan Star news 29/03/2022

2 minutes read

Worry can cause sheep to miscarry or die.

Owners warned to keep dogs under control as sheep worrying escalates

With the lambing season upon us, dog owners are being reminded they must keep their animals under proper control around sheep and other farm livestock.

National Sheep Association (NSA) and all its farmer-members want everyone to share in the iconic landscapes and beautiful countryside that sheep farming in the UK has played an integral role is creating and maintaining.

With more people enjoying the countryside with their dogs, there is always a chance of sheep encounter with much of the Vale of Glamorgan’s rural landscape maintained by grazing sheep.

Any harm caused by out of control dogs can damage a farmer’s livelihood as sheep are valuable assets on farms. Being chased can cause serious stress to sheep as the worry of what dogs may do can cause sheep to die or pregnant ewes to miscarry their lambs.

Government research has shown that the majority of incidents involving dogs worrying or attacking sheep is on land which is not accessible to the public. The Countryside Code, published by Natural Resources Wales, provides clear guidance on the responsibility of dog owners to keep their dogs under effective control.

This includes ensuring dogs are kept on a lead or in sight at all times and owners should be confident their dogs will return on command.

Wales Rural & Wildlife Crime Coordinator, Rob Taylor said: “The police regularly receive reports of sheep and other livestock being attacked by dogs throughout Wales, which is wholly preventable.

“We see more than 300 attacks per year with animals brutalised and often killed, as well as dogs being shot or euthanised and the owner appearing before the courts.

“Responsible dog ownership is key and it’s important to ensure pets are under control at all times, or if left home alone, that the house or garden are secure.”

What actually is sheep worrying?

The law* states that the offence of sheep worrying is when, on agricultural land, a dog either attacks sheep, chases them in such as way as to likely cause injury, suffering or abortion of pregnant ewes, or is said to ‘be at large’ meaning the dog is not on a lead or otherwise under close control.

By allowing any of these actions, the owner of the dog is breaking the law and can be subject to prosecution. Note that the dog doesn’t actually have to physically injure a sheep for it to be an offence. Any out of control dog amongst a flock can cause so much panic in the sheep that they can easily die from stress or abort their lambs.

It is often assumed that only aggressive dogs are involved in sheep worrying, but this is not always the case. Sheep will run when scared and dogs, by nature, like to chase. Because of this, any dog that starts to chase a flock, either out of aggression or excitement, can cause problems

*Source: UK Legislation.