Course to tackle dog attacks on livestock in Wales
Blue Cross says irresponsible dog ownership can cause issues for local communities.
Blue Cross has collaborated with the police in Wales to launch a new course this September, produced to tackle dog attacks on livestock.
The responsible dog ownership course (RDOC), which has been made available to police across Wales, will educate dog owners in order to reduce the instances of attacks in Wales. The new syllabus now includes a module about managing dogs around livestock.
It will be distributed to dog owners whose dog has been involved in a livestock attack.
The adaptation and implementation of the course has been led by Rob Taylor, wildlife and rural crime coordinator in Wales. His role aims to improve the police response to wildlife and rural crime across Wales.
Funding has already been secured to extend the contract of the role for a further four years.
Mr Taylor said: “This is a difficult problem to tackle but, as well as much needed law changes, we see an awareness course to educate irresponsible dog owners as vital to moving forward and reducing the number of offences.
“I also welcome the extension of the rural coordinator post here in Wales, enabling me to build on the strong foundations and proactivity we have already seen with our partners, through the Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Strategy.”
Blue Cross has also identified the importance of responsible dog ownership in combatting wildlife crime. It says that irresponsible dog ownership and dog control issues can cause issues for local communities as well as dog owners.
Kerry Taylor, education manager at Blue Cross, said: “Responsible dog ownership is an essential aspect of effective dog control and has positive impacts on the dog’s health and welfare.
“RDOC aims to support dog owners and their dogs at a critical point, reduce reoffending and creating safer communities.”
The scheme has been welcomed by the cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies.
He said: “Meeting with someone who has been a victim of this type of crime has given me the opportunity to discuss the issue in some depth directly with the communities affected.
“We take these attacks very seriously and we want people to take responsibility for their pet’s behaviour whether they live or walk near farmlands.”
Image © Shutterstock
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
