The National Sheep Association (NSA) is urging all sheep owners to be alert to a heightened risk of sheep worrying attacks during the summer holidays.
It is also issuing a reminder to holidaymakers of the risk their pet dogs pose to any sheep they may meet on their countryside breaks.
It is every dog’s instinct to chase it reminds, even if they are usually obedient, and the chasing of sheep by dogs can do serious damage through stress and injury. Many sheep fleeing from dogs are often killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape.
“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,” NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said.
NSA is urging dog walkers to keep their pets on leads during walks through the countryside, no matter how obedient they consider their pet to be.
“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,” Stocker added.
“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.”
NSA has produced a range of signage that sheep farmers can display in an effort to alert walkers to the presence of nearby livestock.
