Two lambs have been killed in a suspected dog attack in the Llanyre area of Radnorshire, Powys, Wales.
Dyfed Powys Police’s rural crime team said the incident of livestock worrying took place between October 8 and 9.
The team urged anyone with any information on the incident to come forward.
Livestock worrying
Dyfed Powys Police said livestock worrying is a criminal offence and comes under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.
The definition of ‘worrying’ is where a dog attacks or chases livestock causing injury or suffering.
“This isn’t just a threat to a farmer or land owner’s livelihood, it’s also a dangerous situation for the animals involved, and could lead to more risk if the animals get onto the road,” the force said.
“A farmer is allowed to kill the dog if it’s worrying their livestock.”
Dyfed Powys Police urged dog owners to keep their dogs under control around other animals and to report any incidences of dogs on the loose worrying animals.
Livestock theft
On livestock theft, Dyfed Powys Police said farmers can implement preventative measures to reduce the risk of their livestock being taken.
These steps include:
- Make regular checks of the fields where animals are kept to check that fences haven’t been breached and that no one else is in the field with them;
- Use ear tags, horn brands, freeze marking or tattooing to make your animals more easily identifiable;
- Keep your hedges, fences and gates in good repair: field gate hinges should have capping hinges so they can’t be removed easily; cattle grids should be removable and locked out of position when they’re not in use; use locking posts to obstruct large openings to yards;
- Consider installing CCTV.
The force said farmers should check their livestock and the security of boundary fencing regularly.
“If they’re making more noise than usual this could mean something has disturbed them,” it said.
