Farmer shoots dogs after spate of sheep worrying incidents

A farmer on the Isle of Wight shot two dogs, killing one and injuring the other, following attacks on his sheep.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police said the incident happened at 7.45pm on Tuesday (28 April).

The farmer shot the dogs on his land because he believed they had been responsible for a number of sheep worrying attacks in recent weeks in the Gunville area.

See also: Your legal rights on shooting dogs on your land

The second dog was taken for treatment for gunshot wounds at Green and Forster vets in Carisbrooke Road later on Tuesday evening.

It survived but the extent of its injuries is unknown.

Police officers attended the surgery as part of an investigation into the shooting.

They concluded that the farmer had the legal right to shoot the dogs.

A force spokesman confirmed: “The farmer believed it was worrying his sheep.

“He has had several sheep injured and one killed by a dog recently. Another dog was shot, but survived and was treated by vets.”

“Dog owners forget that the friendly family pet can turn wolf and dogs can inflict the most terrible injuries on sheep which often result in death.”
James Osman, NFU

Section nine of the Animals Act 1971 states the owner of livestock, the landowner or anyone acting on their behalf, is entitled to shoot any dog if they believe it is the only reasonable way of stopping it worrying livestock.

Such action must be reported to the local police within 48 hours.

James Osman, NFU county adviser for East Sussex, West Sussex and Isle of Wight, said: “Dog owners forget that the friendly family pet can turn wolf and dogs can inflict the most terrible injuries on sheep which often result in death.

“Dog attacks cause undue suffering for livestock and they are very distressing for the farmer, not to mention the impact on his livelihood.

“People should remember that the law allows farmers to shoot dogs that are threatening livestock.”

If a dog worries livestock, the dog owner or the person responsible for the animal at that time may be guilty of an offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 and could be sued for compensation by the farmer.

Mr Osman added: “Once a dog has attacked livestock there is a high probability that it will strike again.

“We urge people to avoid any potential problems by keeping dogs under close control at all times, particularly at this critical time in the sheep farming calendar.”