Highlight sheep worrying to public at shows, farmers told

Sheep farmers are being urged to build positive relations with dog owners to highlight the devastating impact of sheep worrying.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) says farmers should target the many agricultural events and shows taking place this summer to reach out to the public and promote responsible dog ownership.

The serious problem of livestock worrying is well recognised by farmers and the wider industry, but more work must be done with the dog-owning public to stop attacks which are “completely avoidable”.

See also: Special Investigation shows police are failing to crack down on sheep worrying

In particular, the NSA says there must be improved behaviour from the minority of dog walkers that “allow their animals to run free around livestock, often with devastating results”.

NSA spokesman Katie James said: “Browbeating the public and portraying negative messages about shooting dogs is not an effective message.

“We want to share a positive message about dog owners enjoying the beautiful landscapes in Britain, which are created by the hard work of sheep farmers, and to do so responsibly and consider the impact an attack can have on farmers business and livelihood.”

For several years, the NSA has collected data and opinions on sheep worrying attacks to gain an insight into its severity and consequences.

Financial and emotional cost

NSA surveys have highlighted the financial and emotional cost of sheep worrying on farmers. For example, 85% of sheep farmers who have suffered sheep worrying attacks experience feelings of stress and anxiety, leading to almost a quarter of those affected subsequently considering giving up sheep farming.

“This personal angle is a really important one to share when talking about attacks on sheep, as dog owners often think their pets are ‘just playing’ and do not understand the wider picture,” added Mrs James.

The NSA will be spreading the messages of improving relations with the wider public and the importance of reporting attacks at shows and events throughout the summer.

Meanwhile, it wants farmers to report all incidents of livestock worrying to the police to help build an accurate picture of the true scale of the problem.