Harrowing photo shows reality of sheep worrying

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Police have published a chilling photo of a dead dog lying beside a dead sheep on the road in a bid to raise awareness of the dreadful consequences of sheep worrying.

Both animals plunged over a cliff to their death on Great Orme, in Llandudno, north Wales on Friday (5 October).

The incident happened after the dog slipped its lead and chased the sheep over the cliff edge.

See also: The law on shooting dogs – critical facts farmers must know

Rob Taylor, manager of North Wales Police’s Rural Crime Team, said it was the seventh attack on livestock on Great Orme reported to his team this year.

https://twitter.com/NWPRuralCrime/status/1048240868791083008

In a video posted on Twitter, Mr Taylor said: “It’s absolutely harrowing for the animals concerned. You have to feel sorry for the farmer and the dog owner as well.

“It’s an absolute tragic end… it’s time for us again to step up our patrols and look at different problem-solving methods we can see to overcome this in this area.”

The rural police team said it decided to publish the photograph “to educate all dog owners about the consequences” of sheep worrying.

Mr Taylor added: “Livestock worrying is an awful offence and the consequences are dreadful for the farmer and dog owner as can be seen today. No winners, only losers.”

Police enquiries ongoing

A spokeswoman for North Wales Police said on Tuesday (9 October) that enquiries were ongoing into the incident, adding that no arrests have been made.

Following the publication of the photograph on its Twitter page (@NWPRuralCrime), the rural crime team ran an online poll asking readers whether it was the right decision. Out of 732 votes, 91% said yes.

Mr Taylor said his team was working tirelessly to raise awareness and educate dog owners about sheep worrying and push for changes to laws.

The incident capped a difficult end to the week for the team, with officers “inundated with calls, from livestock attacks to livestock thefts, cruelty offences to a possible badger sett disturbance.”

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