Action needed to halt sheep worrying, say farmers
Seventy per cent of sheep farmers experienced sheep worrying in the past year.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) is calling for urgent action to be taken to tackle sheep worrying in the UK, after its annual survey revealed just how common attacks have become.
Seventy per cent of sheep farmers have experienced at least one incident of a dog chasing their sheep in the past year, according to the survey. This is despite many farmers taking preventative measures including putting up signs and moving sheep to areas with less public access.
On average, farmers reported three sheep deaths caused by sheep worrying incidents in 2022, a figure which does not include the stress-induced miscarriages experienced by ewes who had been chased.
The survey also revealed support among farmers for action from the Government, with 82 per cent of respondents strongly agreeing that additional powers are necessary to act as a deterrent to dog owners.
The Government has promised to bring in stricter measures against livestock worrying in the Kept Animals Bill. However, it has now been more than 500 days since any parliamentary progress was made on passing the legislation.
If it becomes law, the act will allow the police to seize dogs after serious incidents and take samples from both the dog and the livestock to support prosecution. For the NSA, these new powers do not go far enough.
Commenting after the release of the latest sheep worrying statistics, NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “The Kept Animals Bill is well behind schedule which is frustrating on one hand but I still don’t believe it is fit for purpose, still not requiring dogs to be on leads when in fields with sheep and suggesting maximum fines for those found guilty being limited to £1000 in England. This compares to a recent change of legislation in Scotland that has seen the same crime punishable with up to a £40,000 fine or prison sentence. This disparity must be addressed.
“A lack of punishment and continued varied responses from Police Rural Crime teams is frustrating farmers who are experiencing great upset as well as financial loss because of this issue.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
