An Isle of Wight farmer, whose family have farmed sheep on the Island since the 1970s, says sheep worrying "will only get worse" - after a number of his were attacked and killed.
EXCLUSIVE
Angus Baird, who farms around 2,000 sheep on the Island says because of lockdown “everyone has been buying dogs”, and he is urging Islanders to use “common sense” when walking them near livestock.
Angus - who farms land around Godshill and Ryde - says sheep worrying causes them a huge amount of stress - and often results in them dying of a heart attack.
Implications for the farmer when their sheep are killed include the cost of replacing them, the loss of income the following year and disposing of the bodies, which Angus says “isn’t much fun when you spend all year looking after them - and they get killed through no fault of your own”.
Speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio, he said:
"It [sheep worrying] has got implications - when they are chased around when they are in lamb they will lose embryos at a critical stage of the pregnancy and you also don’t know how many you could lose.
“I've got no problem with people walking about - and I am quite happy to speak to anyone on the farm - and anyone enjoying the countryside - well it's a good thing isn't it? Of course, it isn't everyone that's doing it but people have got to be careful.
“You can't let a dog off if they are not controllable anywhere near livestock - especially near electric fences. It's all a game for a dog and 9 times out of ten they probably aren't even doing it viciously because it thinks it's a game."
Police say a farmer is allowed to kill the dog if it’s worrying their livestock but Angus said: "no one wants to do that."
Angus’ sheep and other Island farmers he knows have been subjected to a number of attacks, the most recent was in Arreton where a husky was let off the lead and 250 of Angus' sheep were chased around for an hour.
Luckily none suffered physical injuries - but the sheep were highly stressed putting them at high risk of losing the lambs they were carrying.
Previously he has had 19 killed at Hale Manor Farm, and a further 19 died a week later from shock.
Livestock worrying is a criminal offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.
Hampshire Constabulary’s website states:
‘Worrying’ is where a dog attacks or chases livestock causing injury or suffering.
‘This isn’t just a threat to a farmer or land owner’s livelihood, it’s also a dangerous situation for the animals involved, and could lead to more risk if the animals get onto the road.’
If you see livestock worrying taking place - call 999 as it is considered an emergency.
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