Animal charity demands action over sheep-worrying
Campaigners want a Government crackdown on dogs terrorising livestock on Dartmoor amid rising incidents of “sheep-worrying”.
The Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society says it is “deeply concerned” to have recorded 76 attacks last year in evidence to a Commons inquiry into tackling irresponsible dog ownership.
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The organisation calls for Dartmoor National Park Authority to enforce existing laws more robustly, an end to confusion over attacks on grazed common land, the power to impose dog-destruction orders and on-the-spot fines.
In the written evidence, the group states: “Sheep-worrying is a serious problem on Dartmoor. We are deeply concerned about the apparently rising number of sheep-worrying cases, particularly on common land which is used by the public for recreation and exercising dogs.
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“During 2011, 76 sheep-worrying cases were reported to our Dartmoor Livestock Protection Officer and officially logged – that is more than one a week.
“These cases cause distress to the livestock and to its owners – not only for animal welfare reasons, but also because the stock are important to their livelihoods.”
MPs that sit on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee launched the probe following Government proposals to clamp down on irresponsible owners, which included making it an offence to have dogs out of control even on private property, and compulsory micro-chipping.
Proposals on dogs are also awaited from the Home Office in its reform of the antisocial behaviour regime.
Sheep attacks cost thousands of pounds in lost income to struggling hill farmers.
The National Sheep Association estimates a fatal dog attack on one sheep will set the farmer back as much as £400, but claims dogs usually attack multiple animals at a time.
The Paws on Dartmoor campaign has seen leaflets left at Dartmoor National Park Authority information centres at Princetown, Postbridge and Haytor and information cards handed out by park rangers.
The campaign urges owners to keep dogs on a short lead during the important breeding season and provides advice on canine health issues associated with taking dogs on to Dartmoor.
In separate evidence, the National Farmers’ Union
says livestock-worrying costs farming £1 million annually and nearly 700 cases were reported last year.
It believes attacks are increasing as greater countryside access means farmland is treated as a “large exercise area” for pets. Penalties for livestock-worrying – a £10 fine if convicted – are “woefully inadequate”, it says.
Comments
by Chunder123
Saturday, August 18 2012, 9:09AM
“having seen how animals are treated in slaughter houses it really is quite shocking and they suffer greatly and are very intelligent and are very similar to humans accept different body shapes. I think what our government is driving is extremly sick and done purely for profit and their is no urgent need for meat. if we carry on their will be no animals left and they are endangering species and inflicting cruelty just to line supermarket shelves and much of it is thrown in the trash. Frankly ive seen enough and simbody needs to put a stop to this. those who are long term brainwashed typically know no better and think this is perfectly ok. The more human beings that breed the more suffering will occur. Many don't realize we are screwed if we carry on like this. the currenty system is not going to work. i never realized how sick out government really are and they take out their evil actions on helpless animals.”
by chrisgd
Friday, August 17 2012, 8:29PM
“This is not exclusively a problem for Dartmoor, as you have touched on in your article. The drive to promote access to the countryside has not been matched by any attempt to educate people in their responsibilities. There seems to be a prevailing attitude of 'it's my right'. The lack of respect for farm land, stock, fences and the countryside in general is truely shocking. Time to teach people how to behave, a right to access the countryside is really a privilege which should be treated with respect.”