In the article ‘Hazards’ (17th March 2021), sheep worrying and its outcomes were described, and reasons were put forward as to why dog worrying of sheep is an increasing problem.
No apology is given for a return to the topic now. It is for a negative reason, that worrying of sheep by dogs continues to increase. But it is also for the positive reason, that, with things now so bad, some good signs are emerging - at last - of a recognition that more and stronger effort will have to be made if dog worrying is to get stopped.
Of those sheep farmers responding to a survey by the National Sheep Association [NSA], over two thirds had suffered increased sheep worrying attacks by dogs in the past year. The survey (https://go.nationalsheep.org.uk/surveyresults) was released on 30th April 2021. Each respondent had, on average, ‘experienced seven cases of sheep worrying during the past year resulting in five sheep injured and two sheep killed per attack’. Meanwhile, the rural affairs specialist of NFU Mutual says their ‘claims estimates for 2021 are suggesting a staggering 50 per cent rise in the cost of dog attacks [on livestock] for the first quarter of the year’.
After giving the results of the survey referred to above, the NSA launched a two-week campaign ‘Lead On’ which has the aim ‘to increase awareness of the [sheep worrying by dogs] issue amongst the general dog owning public.’
The Chief Executive of the NSA sees the Covid-19 pandemic as having been an influence on the rise in sheep worrying by dogs, because of increased dog owning and there being more public time in the countryside. The NSA survey puts a spotlight on the necessity for a review of legislation in relation to dog worrying.
In can be seen that two elements are key to getting an improved situation regarding dog worrying:
communicating better and more effectively with dog owners, and informing the general public more about dog worrying and its bad effects;
having strong enough law in relation to dog worrying, and ensuring that the police has power and resource enough to enforce and implement that law.
The NSA Chief Executive depicts a rather missed opportunity. Though welcoming the refreshing of the Countryside Code, he regrets ‘the failure to advise that dogs should be kept on leads in the vicinity of livestock’, and reports that the refreshed Code merely says a dog should be ‘in sight’ (The Guardian, 3rd April 2021).
A Master Lobby Pack ‘The Queen’s Speech 2021’ was provided by the Prime Minister’s Office, in connection with what was said by the Queen at her Opening of the UK Parliament on 11th May. On animal welfare plan and legislation, an element is depicted as ‘bringing in more effective powers to tackle livestock worrying’.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs [DEFRA] published a Policy Paper ‘Action Plan for Animal Welfare’ (12th May 2021) and which states:
‘We are aware that dog attacks on livestock are a serious and growing concern to rural communities, police forces and farmers. Livestock worrying can cause much emotional distress, to all who see the aftermath and can be economically catastrophic to the livelihoods of our farmers. To address this, we will legislate to ensure that new powers are available to the police so that they can respond to the most serious incidents of livestock worrying.’
And the companion, ‘Our Action Plan For Animal Welfare’, states ‘We will … ensure effective powers are available to tackle “livestock worrying” – knowing the trauma that attacks on livestock can inflict.’
There is indication too, FarmingUK Team says, of ‘proposed changes to livestock worrying legislation’, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, and which would give police forces more powers. The Chair of the National Police Chief Council Livestock Offences Group, has said, apparently, that the Act is weak and no longer serving its purpose.
Many straws in the wind. But meanwhile, while talk, plan and initiative are continuing, sheep are continuing to be physically harmed by dog attacks, and in a growing number. And their owners can be upset and can suffer financial loss as a result of such incidents.
One sad finding of the NSA survey was that ‘more than half of respondents had experienced abuse or intimidation when personally asking dog owners to put their pet on a lead’. This finding will not surprise many who have experienced some dog owners’ reactions to polite requests to do what they are legally required to do with their dog near livestock. Surely it is simply a humane action to try to protect an animal, a sheep, from stress, injury, or worse, from another animal, a dog, which one owns, for which one is responsible, and whose natural tendency is to ‘go’ for that animal.
The NSA, in a brief and informative message, depicts the forms taken by dogs worrying sheep: ‘Bark, Chase, Bite, Kill.’ Is that clear enough for you, dog owners?
1st June 2021