A survey carried out by the National Sheep Association (NSA) has found that 70% of farmers have experienced a sheep worrying attack in the past 12 months.
95% of the 300 sheep farmers surveyed said they experienced up to 10 cases of sheep worrying every year.
On average, the NSA said, three sheep deaths were reported each year due to a dog attack and this does not take into account production losses in sheep, including miscarriage, that were reported by almost 70% of respondents.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said UK farmers are making huge gains improving animal health but that one of the most concerning threats to sheep welfare – worrying by dogs – continues to be “swept under the carpet”.
“It seems to be an area where resolution is too difficult a challenge to tackle and so, attacks continue with little consequence to those at fault.”
Stocker said there is a real concern amongst sheep farmers that the situation is spiralling out of control and becoming the norm.
“As reported in the NSA survey, farmers are taking what steps they can to protect their flocks including displaying signs, moving sheep to areas with less public access and working with communities via social media but unfortunately, these actions are having little impact in improving the number of sheep worrying incidents,” he said.
Kept Animals Bill
82% of respondents to the NSA’s survey said that they strongly agreed that additional powers are necessary to act as a deterrent to dog owners allowing attacks to happen.
Increased powers and fines proposed in the new Kept Animals Bill are welcomed by the NSA, but it said it has concerns that they will not be strong enough to have a serious impact.
“The Kept Animals Bill is well behind schedule which is frustrating on one hand but I still don’t believe it is fit for purpose, still not requiring dogs to be on leads when in fields with sheep and suggesting maximum fines for those found guilty being limited to £1,000 in England,” he said.
“This compares to a recent change of legislation in Scotland that has seen the same crime punishable with up to a £40,000 fine or prison sentence. This disparity must be addressed.
“A lack of punishment and continued varied responses from police rural crime teams is frustrating farmers who are experiencing great upset as well as financial loss because of this issue.”
Sheep Worrying by Dogs campaign
The release of the NSA’s sheep worrying survey results comes ahead of the launch of its Sheep Worrying by Dogs campaign which will take place on Monday, April 3.
The annual campaign launched by the association aims to highlight the issue of sheep worrying and is timed as sheep farmers head into their busiest time of year.
NSA communications manager Katie James said: “With lengthening daylight hours and a bank holiday weekend just around the corner many people will want to get out and about to enjoy the beautiful British countryside, they may even look forward to viewing spring lambs in the fields.
“But many will not realise the threat to sheep flocks from dogs walking off the lead. Even the most highly trained pet dog can follow its instincts and chase livestock.
“To some this may appear like play but to a prey animal such as a sheep it is highly stressful and can have a devastating effect.
“With fields now full of young lambs and heavily pregnant ewes there is a heightened risk of mismothering and miscarriage due to stress, as well as from any physical injuries encountered.”
