Dog blamed for death of four cows in Anglesey

A dog is suspected of chasing four in-calf dairy cows to their deaths on a farm in Anglesey.

The cows were discovered by their owners, Ellis Judson and Daniel Jones, at the bottom of a ravine at Maenaddwyn, near Llanerchymedd. The ravine runs between two boundary fences.

Police investigating the incident said the animals had suffered “catastrophic injuries”.

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There is also concern for the welfare of other in-calf cows in the herd who were left distressed by the incident.

Police said the discovery of the dead cows is likely to have a “profound emotional impact” on the farmers, and financial and breeding repercussions for the business.

In a statement on social media, North Wales Police Rural Crime Team said: “Between 3pm on 23/8 and 10am on 24/8, a dog chased cows within a farmer’s field in Maenaddwyn, just outside Llannerchymedd.

“Four cows that were in-calf fell down a steep embarkment and, as a result of their injuries, have died. Anyone with info, to contact us using ref A135912.”

In March, figures released by the National Sheep Association (NSA) revealed that 70% of the 300 farmers who responded to a survey had been victims of dog attacks.

Only 14% of those were notified of by the owners of the offending dogs, leaving the remaining 86% to discover the attack themselves, or be notified by others.