‘It's destroying farmers’ lives’ – shepherd speaks out over livestock worrying

“It is destroying farmers’ lives. Two years ago I had a phone call to say there were two dogs running with the in-lamb ewes, but when I got there it was too late.

“They had killed 15 and disappeared. That could have been prevented if you had kept your dogs on a lead.”

The National Sheep Association (NSA) said it was working closely with both farming and non-farming bodies to help educate the public about the risks of dog worrying, including working to support changes to the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

Promotion

The changes, proposed by the National Police Chiefs Council rural crime team, would give the police stronger powers to prosecute dog owners and ensure more rights for farmers in the process.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “NSA is further working cross industry to encourage responsible dog ownership through the year, and as well as the ongoing and positive take the lead message, a message of knowing where your dog is at all times, is being promoted.

“This comes following research by North Wales Police that reveals the majority of dog attacks occur when dogs are unattended and have escaped from a garden, as against when the dog is let off a lead during a walk.

“There is much still to do, and NSA believes the most efficient way of tackling the issue is to work with as many different organisations as possible to reach as many different target audiences as possible to tackle the issue.”