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NSA survey reveals impact of sheep worrying
Fifty-seven per cent of police forces said sheep worrying was their most common rural crime.
Survey finds 78 per cent of rural crime teams saw an increase in cases.

Research conducted by the National Sheep Association (NSA) has revealed that sheep worrying cases are continuing to rise, causing more animals to miscarry, become injured, or die.

The data has been released to mark Sheep Worrying Awareness Week, running from 25 March to 1 April, which raises awareness of the impact that dogs can have with sheep worrying.

A survey of police forces in the UK found that 78 per cent of rural crime teams had seen an increase in dog attacks on sheep in recent years. Fifty-seven per cent of police forces said sheep worrying was their most frequently reported rural crime.

Seventy-six per cent of rural crime forces said they responded to sheep worrying incidents at least once a month. Thirty-three per cent saying it was as often as once a week.

This was corroborated by a survey of farmers, who also said they had seen an increase in cases.

The majority of police forces surveyed said that dogs being exercised off-lead were a major contributor to incidents, as well as owners showing a lack of responsibility for the consequences of dog attacks.

NSA says that sheep worrying, where dogs chase sheep during dog walks, can do the farm animals serious harm. Sheep can be killed or seriously injured when attempting to escape a dog, and the stress can cause pregnant ewes to miscarry their lambs.

Dog bites can cause death, or sheep to be put down at a later date. Where sheep survive, bites can still result in considerable veterinary bills and additional welfare issues.

However many of the police forces surveyed did claim to be confident in handling sheep worrying incidents, and encouraged farmers to report and engage with local rural crime teams.

Nicola Noble, NSA project manager, said: “Whilst the 2024 NSA survey has confirmed the concerning rise in sheep worrying by dogs cases there are clearly positive steps being made by rural crime teams to engage with dog owners in an effort to raise awareness and reduce these serious, upsetting attacks.

“By working with the police and by using warning signs for dog owners when livestock are grazing in certain fields, were recognised as the best method of deterrence and can hopefully help farmers reduce the number of attacks on their animals.”

Image © Shutterstock

 

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Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

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News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.