An increase in dog ownership during the Covid-19 pandemic could be to blame for a spike in incidents of sheep worrying, according to the National Sheep Association (NSA).
The association said that ‘pandemic puppy’ owners were more likely to be first-time dog owners and, therefore, unaware of the threat posed to livestock from dogs.
The NSA highlighted statistics from a UK Pet Food survey, which suggested that around 3.2 million households in the UK acquired a dog in the first year of the pandemic.
The association for UK sheep farmers also believse that periods of lockdown may have prevented new dog owners from accessing adequate training and socialisation for their new pets. Factors it said that are “crucial in the development of puppies’ future behaviour”.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker added: “NSA survey results from the past few years combined with recently reported figures from industry partners show a concerning increase in the number of cases of sheep worrying by dogs since the Covid pandemic began.
“With dog ownership increasing so significantly during the covid pandemic and this latest research from BVA suggesting dog aggression is on rise and dog owners do not know what to do about it, it is no surprise we’re seeing more cases.
“Action must be taken, to educate people about the responsibilities of dog owners and to strengthen both the law and law enforcement around protecting livestock.”
Sheep worrying
The NSA has also warned that across the UK, sheep farmers are faced with ongoing stress and worry associated with attacks on their livestock.
“This serious issue has been of growing concern during recent years with evidence gathered from NSA sheep farming members indicating a worrying rise in attacks on sheep in the past few years,” it said.
The association said dog behaviour has gotten worse since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and highlighted research from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) that found that half of UK vets had seen a rise in clients with concerns about their dogs increasingly aggressive behaviour.
Stocker said: “With 29% of the UK population now owning a dog there is little surprise sheep farmers are regularly faced with the distress of sheep worrying attacks.
“As dogs are natural predators they will often follow their instincts to chase sheep if given the opportunity.
“Chasing and barking as well as a physical attacks can be enough to severely distress sheep with often devastating consequences.”
He also cautioned that sheep deaths and injuries can be avoided if dogs are kept on a lead and walked at a distance away from livestock.
“Farmers appreciate the British public want to enjoy the beautiful countryside while walking their dogs so will be welcomed, but only if they can be responsible and keep their dogs safe, as well as the farmers’ livestock and livelihood,” he said.
