North Wales Police’s rural crime team has caught the dogs it suspects as being responsible for an attack that resulted in the death of multiple sheep at the weekend.
The attack took place between Sunday night and early Monday morning (November 20-21) in a field on Padeswood Road, Buckley, Flintshire.
Read Agriland’s original report of the attack here.
16 of the sheep that were injured in the attack are expected not to survive, and the farmer has reported a further 11 from the same flock missing; the nine sheep left uninjured have returned to the field.
In a Facebook update post today (Tuesday, November 22), the rural crime team said two German Shepherd dogs believed to be responsible are being held in a secure location by officers “to prevent any further attacks”.
Sgt. Peter Evans, speaking on behalf on the rural crime team, took this opportunity to remind dog owners of their responsibilities. He said all dog owners have to keep their animals under effective control around sheep and other livestock.
“Livestock attacks are extremely distressing not only for the animals, but for their keepers too. The costs, both financially and emotionally for those who own or find dead and injured animals, are wholly unacceptable,” he said.
“Unfortunately, reports of sheep and other livestock being attacked in North Wales is not uncommon, with animals brutalised and often killed – which is completely preventable.
“Responsible dog ownership is key in tackling these awful incidents and it is so important to ensure pets are always kept under control – or if left at home alone, that the house or garden are secure.
“I am appealing to anybody who witnesses a dog without a lead in such environments to report it to us immediately. I would also encourage livestock keepers to report all incidents to us as soon as possible,” Evans concluded.
