Dog owners urged to keep pets under control around sheep and livestock this Easter
As Easter approaches, dog owners are being urged to keep their pets under control to prevent livestock from suffering and farmers from facing financial loss.
NFU Mutual, the leading rural insurer in the UK, has reported a 50% increase in dog attacks on livestock since 2019, with pregnant ewes and newborn lambs facing heightened risk this Easter.
The cost of such attacks on UK farm animals rose to an estimated £1.8 million in 2022, compared to £1.2 million in 2019.
As the country gears up for the Easter holidays, the insurer is calling on all dog owners to keep their pets on leads whenever livestock are nearby to prevent further carnage and suffering.
The Covid-19 pandemic led to a surge in dog ownership, which subsequently resulted in a sharp increase in the cost of livestock attacks.
Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, warns that all dogs, regardless of breed or size, are capable of chasing, injuring, or killing farm animals. Distressed livestock can suffer severe consequences, including drowning, suffocation, and even death.
An NFU Mutual survey of over 1,100 dog owners revealed that while 64% of owners admitted their dogs chased animals, almost half (46%) believed their pets were incapable of injuring or killing livestock.
A significant 64% of owners also reported allowing their dogs to roam off-lead in the countryside, with 39% admitting their pets did not always return when called.
Research has found most incidents involving dogs worrying or attacking sheep happens on land which is not accessible to the public.
The Countryside Code, published by Natural Resources Wales, provides clear guidance on the responsibility of dog owners to keep their dogs under effective control.
Welsh Government Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said: “We have seen the very sad and distressing images where dogs have attacked livestock.
“We know most people are doing the right thing in keeping control of their dogs, but we also recognise some are not.
“The emotional and financial costs for those who own or find dead and injured livestock, is simply unacceptable, as are the implications to animal welfare.
“Responsible dog ownership is key and by taking the required steps, lambs and other livestock will be safe.”
The Welsh Government’s Wales Rural & Wildlife Crime Coordinator, Rob Taylor added: “Sheep worrying and brutal livestock attacks by pet dogs are sadly a regular occurrence across Wales, which is wholly preventable with responsible dog ownership.
“Owners need to be aware that it is a dog’s natural instinct to chase or even attack livestock and at this time of year it is more harrowing when ewes are pregnant or with already born lambs.
“We ask owners to be aware of the risks and use common sense, by walking dogs where livestock are not present.
“It’s vital they understand that an attack on livestock, although unintended, may result in their pet being shot, or euthanised on a court order after a conviction and nobody wants that to happen.”
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