The National Sheep Association (NSA) has launched its annual survey on the impacts of sheep worrying by dogs in a bid to gain insight into its effects on the UK’s sheep industry.
The association has gathered data from UK sheep farmers on the problem for the past 10 years and is inviting farmers to contribute to this year’s survey before its closing date of Wednesday, March 15.
The NSA said the timing of its survey launch, which is always in winter or spring, is significant because it is at a time when sheep flocks are especially vulnerable – in the final stages of pregnancy – and they are at risk of miscarrying.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said the association is urging anybody previously affected by the issue of sheep worrying to complete the survey.
“Your contribution helps to create a more accurate representation on the intensity of the issue, critical for the NSA when working towards increased understanding of the problem,” he said.
“Whether that be from the UK’s dog-loving public or the UK government that decides what legislation regulates the act and punishes those found guilty of allowing attacks to happen.”
The NSA describes sheep worrying by dogs as a situation where a “dog(s) chases and/or physically attacks sheep causing significant stress to sheep and subsequent devastating problems”.
These problems can includes the miscarriage of lambs, physical injury and, in severe cases, the deaths of multiple sheep.
