Blenheim shepherds launch sheep worrying awareness campaign

Shepherds at Blenheim Palace estate in Oxfordshire have launched a new “Thank Ewe Campaign”, spreading awareness of the upcoming lambing season and the potentially catastrophic consequences of sheep worrying.  

The 1,000-strong flock of Scotch mules is expected to start lambing at the end of April, giving birth outdoors and later in the season when the weather is milder. 

Visitors are advised to keep dogs on leads and under strict control at all times.

See also: Farmers Weekly 2023 lambing gallery opens

Farm manager Charles Gerring said: “We know the vast majority of owners are extremely responsible.

“However, each year we have to deal with some extremely distressing incidents involving dog attacks on the sheep.

“Often, the owners are just not aware of the potential dangers their pets pose to livestock and are also deeply traumatised by the consequences of not being able to keep their dogs under control,” he added.

Serious offence

Signage has been put up around the estate telling owners to keep dogs on leads, and the online “Thank Ewe” campaign seeks to warn owners that sheep worrying is a serious offence. 

Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, owners of dogs involved in sheep worrying can face fines of up to £1,000.

Farmers are also allowed to shoot dogs as a last resort if an attack is under way or about to happen, though they must be able to demonstrate in law that their actions were “reasonable”.

A new Kept Animals Bill is also working its way through parliament.

Once enacted, it is expected new powers will be granted to police officers to search for and seize dogs suspected of dog attacks, and also to enter properties in search of suspect dogs, and to carry out DNA testing to match dogs to attacks.