21 Aug 2018
Angry farmer calls for dog DNA screening after devastating sheep attacks
A farmer who has suffered two devastating attacks on his livestock in the space of a month has called for DNA screening of dogs.
Ryan Wood
Jonathan Woodmass, who farms on the border between Cumbria and Northumberland, found one of his sheep savaged to death this morning (September 28), just a month after 12 others were killed by loose dogs.
He told Farmers Guardian: "Once is heart-breaking - but twice in a month is unforgivable.
"I found it in a field of store lambs this morning, dead. It was a similar style of attack to last time - savaged at the neck.
"The law is very vague and seems to lie towards the dog and dog owner and the farmer has to clean the mess up and foot the bill.
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"Dogs now have to be chipped by law. Would it be viable to have them DNA screened at the same time and a database to be kept?
"It could make identifying a suspected dog 100 per cent and with no doubt.
"All parties would be much happier knowing you had the culprit that caused the problem.
"As a farmer it’s one of the worst feelings going into a field in a morning and finding carnage and distress amongst your flock and not knowing who to blame.
"In just one week, three farms in our area were affected with sheep that had been killed and sheep to put down. It’s absolutely heartbreaking."
Farmers Guardian is taking the lead by raising awareness among the British public about livestock worrying and speaking up for our readers’ concerns.
Aim of the campaign
- Helping farmers to take the lead and address the growing problem
- Urging the public to take the lead and keep control of their dogs
Find out how to receive our ’Take The Lead’ signs for your farm HERE...
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