Police seek tougher penalties for sheep worrying

Police are calling on farmers to report every incident of sheep worrying to help build the case for tighter laws.

Forces from North Wales, North Yorkshire, Devon and Cornwall, Hertfordshire, and Sussex have united to tackle the issue after “hundreds of frustrated farmers” reported dog attacks to SheepWatch UK – a website set up in response to dog attacks on stock.

Officers will gather details about attacks so they can present a clear case for a change in the law if the evidence supports it.

See also: Shooting dogs – critical facts farmers must know

Last year SheepWatch UK also released a report revealing the extent of the problem, with an estimated 15,000 sheep killed annually across the UK, alongside hundreds of dogs.

The organisation this week urged farmers to report “every incident.. however small”.

Chief constable Dave Jones of North Yorkshire Police, the national policing lead for rural and wildlife crime, said: “Our experience of dealing with dog attacks suggests there are some areas of the current legislation that could be improved.

“We believe there may be scope for the law to be tightened up, but we need hard evidence to confirm it.”

Areas police are looking to tighten include broadening the definition of “livestock” to include all types of animals which have been attacked, and allowing police to seize the offending dog in more cases to help prevent repeat attacks.

They are also seeking to increase the maximum fine from £1,000 as it is “relatively low and disproportionate to the loss”.

Tim Morris, from Defra’s Animal Health and Welfare Board for England, said: “If evidence collected by the police shows the laws needs updating, we must be open to that.

“The police service have recognised they can do more, now farmers must report all incidents to the police, and dog walkers on the ground must take collective responsibility to prevent attacks.”

Police are also looking at their methods of reporting and recording the crime and updating their first response to call handling.

New advice website

SheepWatch UK has also this week launched an advice website for farmers and dog handlers, www.sheepwatch.co.uk, and a new leaflet for farmers on what to do in an attack.

What is livestock worrying?

“Worrying” livestock includes attack, chasing in a way that may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering, including abortion, loss or reduction in offspring for ewes, not having a dog on a lead or under close control when close by, or in a field or enclosure with livestock.

What can the farmer do?

The owner of the livestock, the land, or any authorised person may kill or injure a dog worrying, or about to, in order to protect the livestock.

There must have been no other reasonable means of ending the attack, and the dog must not be under the control of any person, or have left the scene.

It must be reported to police within 48 hours.

Contacting police

Dial 999 If sheep worrying is taking place, or serious damage to livestock is likely. Stress to the operator there has been or will be serious damage to livestock.

Provide an accurate location, is possible including both Ordnance Survey grid co-ordinates and the location of the nearest road and point of interest.

Dial 101 If livestock have been attacked and the dogs have left the location. Ask for the police and explain to the operator what has happened. The operator will give advice and explain how the force will handle the report.

Also use 101 for reports of intelligence on poorly controlled dogs, dogs regularly trespassing on farm land, escaping or being allowed to roam freely. Alternatively these can be emailed along with relevant photographs and video footage to the local force via the address on their website.

(Courtesy of SheepWatch UK)

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