The National Sheep Association (NSA) will host a practical webinar on sheep worrying during its Sheep Worrying by Dogs Awareness Week at the end of the month.
The webinar will take place via zoom on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 7:30p.m.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker will be chairing the event and will be joined by guest speakers.
Wales’ rural and wildlife police crime coordinator, Rob Taylor, leads on sheep worrying across the country.
He will join the event to discuss sheep worrying and what the potential outcomes will be from reporting to the police with links to the current law.
Last month, Taylor said owners of dogs need to understand their responsibilities when they are around livestock.
“Attacks on livestock are completely preventable through responsible dog ownership,” he said.
“Sadly, attacks on pregnant ewes or newborn lambs at this time of year do still occur. We ask that owners are aware of the risks, use a precautionary approach in controlling their dog and understand the route on which they take them to exercise.
“An attack on livestock may result in their pet being shot, or euthanised on a court order. Nobody wants to see that happening.
Dave Allen of North Wales Police will then go into detail about what farmers can do to help gather evidence at the crime scene to help reach a positive outcome.
Allen will discuss his force’s work on validating DNA dog fingerprinting.
Finally, sheep vet and sheep farmer Emily Gascoigne will share her thoughts on prioritising animal health and welfare as well as her hands on experience with evidence gathering after an unfortunate dog attack on her sheep.
At the end of the webinar, there will be “ample opportunity” for questions, the NSA said.
