£75 fine is ‘slap in the face’ following dog attack on sheep

A farmer who lost 10 ewes in a devastating dog attack that traumatised her and her family is urging the House of Lords to give its full backing to new legislation that allows for tougher penalties for livestock worrying incidents.

Liz Nutting describes the £75 fine and £85 court costs handed to the owner of four dogs following the incident on her farm near Lampeter, Ceredigion, as a “slap in the face for the farming community”.

See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… sheep worrying

Mrs Nutting, who runs a flock of pedigree Ryeland sheep with her husband, Iain, and daughter, Hannah, said the attack was shocking.

She said her family and their neighbour, who lost 15 sheep on that morning too, feel robbed of justice by the penalty given by magistrates sitting earlier this month.

“We had sheep with legs and tails torn off, the dogs had ripped away their upper jaws and they were choking on their own blood.

“You can never forget seeing something as awful as that,” she told Farmers Weekly.

Ten of her sheep died and seven others, which were also attacked, were nursed back to health.

It took 16 months for the case to come to court.

Judicial system

Mrs Nutting said the rural crime team that had investigated the incident had been very supportive.

However, she is critical of the judicial system.

She welcomes The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill.

It applies to England and Wales and had its first reading in the House of Lords on 20 May 2024.

“I want to see that bill ratified by the Lords as a matter of urgency.

“Also, the farming community and the police given the support they deserve,” she said.

If the bill becomes an Act of Parliament, it will allow for offenders to be given an unlimited fine.

It will also give police greater powers to respond more effectively to the worrying or attacking of livestock by dogs.

Officers would be able to seize a dog or dogs they believe has been involved in an incident when the owner is not present, search properties and take samples and collect dental impressions.

No dogs were seized following the incident in Ceredigion.

Mrs Nutting said a law change is desperately needed.

“We are constantly told that farmers are valued and how important it is that we care for our animals.

“But then when something like this happens, you don’t get the support you desperately need.”