Festive season sheep attack warning as cases rise
© Tim Scrivener Police in Wales have voiced frustration at dog owners who allowed their animals to carry out repeated attacks on a sheep flock.
North Wales Police said officers from its rural crime team had responded to a call from a farm in Flintshire for the second time in a week.
After the incident, the team used Facebook to urge dog owners to keep pets on leads. However, within minutes, an officer wrote a follow-up post. “Incredible, no sooner had I sent the previous post about livestock attacks than the farmer was ringing me as he was dealing with yet another attack.”
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The attacks had taken place less than an hour apart, exasperating the social media officer, who added: “Words fail me”.
Officers told local news websites that they were following up information on the dog believed to be responsible.
The same force is investigating a horrific incident in November on a nearby farm where seven sheep were killed, 16 were seriously injured and 11 went missing. Police seized two German shepherds suspected of causing the attack.
Increased risks
The incidents come as the National Sheep Association (NSA) warned the public and farmers of increased risks during the festive period.
Chief executive Phil Stocker said: “National holiday periods often see an increase in sheep worrying as families enjoy spending time together walking in the countryside.
“But the NSA urges those walking with dogs to be responsible pet owners by keeping their animals on leads and under control whenever they are near sheep.”
NSA blasts Netflix for film that trivialises sheep worrying
The National Sheep Association (NSA) says its aim to educate the public this Christmas has been hindered by a newly released film’s humorous portrayal of a large dog worrying sheep.
In a scene from the Netflix film, Christmas on Mistletoe Farm, the farmer character is seen testing out his dog, Rudolph, as a sheepdog.
Although the NSA described the film as light-hearted and suggested the scenes were unwittingly included, it interpreted the images as a concerning case of sheep worrying.
“The clearly untrained and unsuitable Great Dane runs among the flock and chases several ewes, causing distress to the animals,” Mr Stocker said.
The scene showed a complete disregard for the correct message the NSA and many other farming organisations have been trying to deliver for years, he added.
“This is a serious animal welfare issue that puts both sheep and much-loved pets at risk. It must never be seen as the harmless fun portrayed by this film,” said Mr Stocker.
“All too often, farmers affected by an attack on their flock hear these words from dog owners: ‘He was only playing’. But what might appear like play to a dog owner causes distress, often with extremely severe consequence.
“If children are to be entertained by dogs chasing sheep in popular films, what hope have UK sheep farmers in reducing incidents of sheep worrying on their farms?”
Sheep worrying resources
The NSA website has information on how to prevent attacks and what to do when an incident occurs.