The National Sheep Association (NSA) has launched its annual Sheep Worrying by Dogs survey for 2022.
The survey aims, every year, to gain up to date insight on sheep worrying by dogs and the impact it has on the UK sheep industry.
All sheep farmers, whether they have experienced issues with sheep worrying or not, are invited by the association to contribute to the survey.
The survey will be open from now until March 25, 2022, and can be completed online, via the sheep worrying section of the NSA website.
Sheep worrying
The survey has been launched at a time when the ewes of sheep farmers are in the final stages of pregnancy or have young lambs at foot, meaning the risk of miscarriage or mis-mothering due to stress from a sheep worrying attack is increased.
According to the NSA, the association is receiving regular calls from distressed farmers.
“NSA receives calls from distressed sheep farmers who have experienced attacks on their flocks on a very regular basis,” said NSA policy and technical officer, Sean Riches.
“As a nation of animal lovers, it is difficult to comprehend how these devastating attacks are allowed to continue. This is a serious welfare issue, where sheep are regularly subjected to threats by dogs who chase and cause physical harm,” he added.
Recent changes in legislation have been proposed to try and tackle the issue but NSA believes these do not go farm enough, failing to contain sufficient deterrents to prevent attacks happening and while in Scotland the legislation has been strengthened, NSA feels there is an increased need for dog owner education to reinforce the unpredictable behaviour of even a well-trained dog.
