A dog owner has been ordered to pay a farmer £300 after their dog killed a lamb during a sheep worrying incident, Dorset Police’s rural crime team has said.
The team said it was made aware of the incident of sheep worrying in Sturminster Newton on March 29, 2024, whereby the lamb was killed by the dog.
Shortly after the incident, the dog owner came forward to provide an account.
The rural crime team said it was able to deal with the dog owner out of court by way of conditional caution.
They were ordered to pay the victim farmer £300 to “cover the loss suffered”.
“On this occasion the dog owner did the right thing by coming forward. Cases of sheep worrying can carry a fine of up to £1000,” the team said.
“Sheep are valuable assets to farmers and any harm to them harm a farmer’s livelihood. Even if you don’t believe so, your dog can kill.
“Please remember to keep your dogs on a lead around livestock.”
Illegal waste activity
The Dorset rural crime team stopped a van travelling north of the country near Sutton Waldron yesterday (Thursday, May 10), and it was found to be full of scrap metal.
The driver had travelled more than three hours to conduct “improper door to door enquiries” in Dorset without a waste carriers license, the team said.
“One van seized under Section 34b EPA. One long walk home for the driver.
“Individuals involved in Illegal waste activity such as this are often also involved in other criminality such as theft and fly tipping.
“Rural Dorset is no place for waste crime, and our team will work closely with Dorset Council to ensure this.”
