NFU welcomes council efforts to prevent livestock worrying
The NFU has welcomed a Nottinghamshire County Council drive to help protect livestock from dog attacks when people are out in the countryside with their dogs.
The authority has written to 200 parish councils, including those near Mansfield and Ashfield, as part of the initiative highlighting livestock worrying and its impact on farm animals and county farm businesses.
Livestock worrying includes dogs barking, chasing, biting and killing - it is a criminal offence and dog owners could be liable for prosecution or a fine.
NFU Nottinghamshire county chair Oliver Collingham, who farms at Farnsfield, said: “I very much welcome the move by the county council to highlight the devastating impact attacks on livestock have.
“Last year, my livestock were victim to it when a group of walkers on my farm lost control of their spaniel which ran off and mauled and killed a sheep before I could get to it.
“The dog had no history of such behaviour, and the owners had given up searching believing it would make its own way home – it was the classic ‘my dog wouldn’t do something like that’ attitude.
“We want people to enjoy our beautiful countryside, but it's important they do so safely and responsibly.
“Raising the profile of this issue will hopefully act as a real deterrent and make a huge difference to farmers across Nottinghamshire and their livestock.”
Livestock worrying also causes indirect injuries as a consequence of animals stumbling and suffering from broken limbs or lacerations as they try to escape through fencing, hedges or wire to get away from the animal that is chasing them; dogs can also cause serious distress to pregnant livestock.
When animals are badly injured it often leads to them having to be put down by a vet.
“The NFU has consistently called for stronger protections and tougher laws to reflect the seriousness of livestock worrying,” Mr Collingham said.
“The recent Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill gaining Royal Assent was a huge step forward – the culmination of many years of lobbying by the NFU and it means stronger enforcement powers for the police and increased penalties for irresponsible dog ownership.”
Nottinghamshire County Council in its correspondence to parish councils said: “Lambing season will soon be under way and we would like to remind everyone using our local footpaths and countryside to please keep dogs on a short lead when walking through or alongside fields with sheep.
“Even the most well-behaved dogs can instinctively chase livestock, particularly at this time of year.
“This behaviour is often driven by excitement or play, rather than aggression but it can still cause serious distress to ewes leading to abortion, exhaustion, shock and, in some cases, death.
“These situations are entirely avoidable. Responsible dog control helps protect livestock, supports our local farmers and keeps everyone safe while enjoying the countryside.
“Thank you for your cooperation and for respecting our rural communities.”
The NFU has persistently lobbied on the issue and The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act was initially tabled by MP Aphra Brandreth through a private members’ Bill - it received Royal Assent in December last year.
The new amendment empowers police to take advantage of the technological and scientific advancements that have been made since it was first passed into law in 1953.
This includes allowing them to take DNA samples or mouth impressions from dogs they suspect of worrying livestock and where there is nobody present to accept responsibility of the dog, as well as ensuring offenders can be ordered by the courts to pay the costs incurred by seizing and detaining a dog.