Most dog owners fail to tell farmer if pet attacks sheep

Less than 5% of sheep farmers were contacted directly by the owners of dogs involved in an attack on their livestock in the past year, new research shows.

The shocking figure is among the results of the National Sheep Association (NSA) Sheep Worrying by Dogs Survey 2022, which once again highlights the devastation caused by dog attacks and a lack of owner accountability for their pets in the countryside.

Almost 60% of the 271 sheep farmers who answered the survey said they found evidence of an attack having taken place, rather than being alerted by the dog owner or another witness.

See also: Dog attacks on sheep surged during lockdown, say farmers

Only 3% of farmers said they were notified directly by the owner of the dog that had attacked their sheep.

Furthermore, 67% of farmers reported production losses in sheep and/or miscarriage in ewes as a result of sheep worrying.

The NSA is using its sheep worrying campaign week (11-15 April) to urge dog owners to take responsibility for attacks if their pet is involved.

Admit responsibility

Phil Stocker, chief executive of the NSA, said: “It may feel daunting as a dog owner to come forward to a farmer to admit responsibility, but NSA believes that farmers would rather be informed by the dog owners themselves rather than finding injured, or even worse, dead sheep in their fields.”

The NSA said concern remained about attacks on sheep increasing due to the reported higher levels of dog ownership since the coronavirus pandemic.

On a more positive note, the survey showed that farmers believe police forces have generally taken more action on livestock worrying.

Mr Stocker said the NSA would continue to raise public awareness about livestock worrying through local and national media appeals, including more radio interviews during the busy Easter period.

Legislation changes

He welcomed proposed changes to laws in England and Wales that are currently moving through parliament. The changes would give police more powers to seize, detain and collect evidence from dogs, such as impressions.

As well as making dog control, destruction and disqualification orders available to the courts upon conviction.

But Mr Stocker said he was disappointed the maximum fine for livestock worrying will remain at £1,000, following Scotland’s decision last year to raise the maximum fine to £40,000.

“That’s not to say every dog owner is going to be hit with a £40,000 fine, but we do see that level of fine as a really useful deterrent and it just raises the seriousness of this crime,” he said.