Dog owners reminded to be responsible around livestock after 17 sheep are killed

Date published: 28 July 2023

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Dog owners are being reminded to be responsible and keep their pets on leads when walking through farmland after 17 sheep were savaged in Ogden.

Three sheep were killed last weekend, with 14 more having to be euthanised after they were found to have been worried in their field.

Livestock worrying is when a dog attacks or chases livestock on agricultural land or is at large in a field with sheep, which can result in significant injury or suffering and in the worst cases, death of the animals involved.

This also has devastating consequences for livestock keepers, causing personal distress as well as significant financial costs.

It is a criminal offence to allow your dog to chase or attack livestock, and serious damage can be caused even if the dog doesn’t catch them.

The National Sheep Association says dog bites can cause death in sheep or necessitate them being put down at a later date. It adds that in less severe cases, considerable veterinary bills and additional welfare issues can arise as a result of flies being attracted to the blood and leading to a nasty health problem called ‘fly strike’.

With sheep being valuable assets to farmers, injuries to sheep can also harm a farmer’s livelihood and delay the normal farming routine, be it the mating season or administration of vital medicines and vaccines.

However, livestock worrying can also prove a problem for the dog owner. Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act of 1953, a dog owner who has been found guilty of their dog(s) worrying livestock, the penalties include a fine of up to £40,000, imprisonment up to 12 months, or both.

Additionally, under the Animals Act 1971, farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs as a last resort if they are endangering their sheep.

The Countryside Code outlines that dogs must be controlled to avoid disturbing farm animals or wildlife, and dog owners must prevent dogs from attacking or chasing livestock, or being out-of-control off lead in a field containing sheep.

Experts say dogs off leads are one of the biggest causes of wildlife disturbance as they can also threaten cows and other grazing livestock.

The Blue Cross advises always calling your dog back when going into a new field if you cannot see if there is livestock present, keeping your dog on a short leash, and avoid passing between adult livestock and their young.

Speaking earlier this year, Jenna Kiddie, head of canine behaviour at Dogs Trust, said: “A countryside dog walk is understandably popular, especially as we move into the warmer months.

“But owners have a responsibility to keep their dog under control, including around livestock and wildlife, to ensure they do not worry other animals or stray onto neighbouring land for everyone’s safety and wellbeing.

“This can be managed by ensuring dogs are kept on a short lead, and close to their owners, whenever livestock are nearby, within seeing, hearing or smelling distance or whenever their presence is likely to be expected.

“It is important to remember that chasing is normal dog behaviour, and that any dog is capable of chasing, irrelevant of breed, type, age or size.”