We are working alongside The National Sheep Association to highlight Sheep Worrying Awareness Week.
Spring marks the arrival of lambing season, a time when sheep give birth to their young. Sadly, this is the time livestock worrying can have the most devastating effects.
Livestock worrying is a crime which involves a dog attacking or worrying livestock animals in rural and farmland areas.
Even well-trained dogs who are off their leads or are roaming unsupervised can cause serious damage to sheep, cattle and their offspring.
Even if the dog doesn’t physically catch the livestock, the stress it causes can lead to pregnant ewes miscarrying. In some cases, livestock worrying can lead to death.
When livestock flee from dogs, they often suffer severe injuries or death during their frantic escape, causing significant damage to fences and field boundaries along the way.
Whilst many dog owners are unaware of the impact their dogs can have on sheep and cattle, it is their responsibility to prevent these incident from occurring.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Karwl-Jackes says: “Remember livestock worrying is a crime and must be reported to the police in all cases. If you see an incident happen, call 999 immediately and ask for the police.
“Worrying includes attacking or chasing sheep or cattle and, in some circumstances, farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they are endangering their livestock.
“It is vital that you keep your dog on the lead around livestock, even if you can usually trust them to come to call. If you live in or near a farming area, you must make sure that your dog cannot escape from your property, as they may find their way onto land where sheep or cattle are grazing or rearing young.
“If you are concerned about the welfare of any livestock, call our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999 and report it.”
Nicola Noble, Project Manager at National Sheep Association comments: “Sheep farmers across the UK are regularly faced with the dreadful consequences of sheep worrying by dogs. Attacks not only have serious animal welfare implications but also cause great stress and anxiety to farmers themselves. Spring is upon us meaning there are lots of very young lambs out in the fields. The last thing anyone wants is their dog to kill or worse mutilate a lamb, leaving it injured and in pain most likely separated from its mother during the attack.
“We want everyone to enjoy the beautiful countryside UK sheep farming has played an integral role is creating and maintaining. But I urge all dog walkers and owners to do this respectfully and responsibly. Don’t take the risk – put your dog on a lead around sheep.”
More information on sheep worrying can be found here.
