![]() If you live near livestock and own a dog/s make sure that your property and garden are secure so your pets cannot escape. If your dog chases, scares or attacks sheep, report it to the farmer even if there is no apparent injury as the stress of worrying by dogs can cause sheep to die and pregnant ewes to miscarry their lambs By restraining the dog in this circumstance you are putting yourself at risk of being injured by the cattle. The only time you should release your dog is in the event of being chased by cattle. When in fields with livestock, it is vital that your dog/s are kept on a lead and under control at all times. ![]() The RSCPA is asking people to consider their actions as a responsible dog owner when out and about enjoying the countryside:-Īlways check for livestock in fields when walking your dog/s.Īlways make sure you shut gates behind you. “Dog owners should remember it is lawful for farmers to shoot a dog to protect livestock which would be distressing for everyone involved and owners can face a police prosecution if their dog is caught worrying livestock." What does the RSCPA suggest? “Whilst the vast majority of people take care as a matter of course, sadly accidents can happen and even the most docile and obedient dogs can get distracted and excited by grazing animals. “We really need to stress the importance of keeping your pet under control or on a lead in the countryside to avoid these devastating attacks - especially in this area which is close to the River Dove and very popular with dog walkers. Luckily the sheep was rescued but others haven't been so lucky (Image: Alfreton Community Fire Station)Īndy added: “The farmer told me in recent times he has had a number of sheep which have fallen off cliffs and to their deaths and believes in all cases they have been frightened by dogs which have been off the lead and they have runaway in panic and sadly died. “We would like more signage put in the area to tell people how vital this is especially as more people seem to be walking their dogs in this popular National Trust area.” “We really need dog owners to put their dogs on leads when near livestock, and be responsible. “We have had this problem for a while now and we are concerned that it will get worse as more dog owners seem to be using this area. “In another incident a dog attacked two lambs who were left with severe wounds and were sadly unable to recover. They later returned to the dead bodies of their mums so we were able to rescue them." ![]() “Both had two lambs each who were so frightened that they ran off and we struggled to find them. “In another recent case a dog chased two sheep off a cliff and they fell to their deaths from a 30 feet drop. The farmer said: “We were very lucky this sheep had fallen onto a ledge and thanks to the RSPCA and fire service she was rescued and unharmed from her ordeal. The RSPCA was called to the incident off Wolfscotes Dale in Hartington, near Buxton after a member of the public reported seeing the stranded sheep on the high cliff ledge.Īnimal rescue officer Andy Sowden attended the scene and could see the animal was trapped 10 metres down from the clifftop and with a 30 metre drop below her - so he called Derbyshire Fire and Rescue for help.Īndy said the farmer believed an out-of-control dog was responsible and he had dealt with four similar cases of sheep dying - either after running off the cliff top in a panic and falling to their death, or following a dog attack. In the latest incident, a sheep had to be rescued when it fell from a clifftop onto a ledge after likely being panicked by an out-of-control dog. The RSPCA is appealing for dog owners to keep their pets on leads while walking near livestock after the death of four sheep from the same flock in Derbyshire in recent months.
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