Farm safety
Huge rise in livestock savaged by dogs
T
he cost of dog attacks on live- stock rose by 50% during the first quarter of 2021, according
to estimates provided by rural insur- er NFU Mutual. Dog attack incidents rose sharply last year when farm animals worth an estimated £1.3m were savaged – an in- crease of over 10% on 2019. But they have now risen much more. Lack of awareness about how dogs
behave around farm animals and a surge in visits to the countryside are believed to be driving the rise. Con- cern is growing that further attacks are likely over the summer. NFU rural affairs specialist Rebec-
ca Davidson said: “Our latest figures confirm the harrowing reports com- ing in from across the UK of livestock horrifically injured and killed by out of control dogs.”
Some 88% of people say they now walk their dog in the countryside.
“The suffering to animals and the anxiety for farmers could be easily pre- vented if people kept their dogs on a lead when out in the countryside,” said Ms Davidson. While 64% say they let their dog run free off the lead, half admit their pet doesn’t always come back when called. And only 40% of respondents accepted that their dog could injure or harm livestock. “The distress of the chase can also cause sheep to die, miscarry and sep- arate lambs from their mothers. Farm animals are also being chased into dan- ger – drowning in rivers, falling from cliffs and getting their necks trapped in fencing.” Ms Davidson added: “We want peo- ple to enjoy the countryside and rec- ognise its importance to our physical and mental wellbeing. We are urging people to be responsible.”
The government announced new
measures to crack down on dog attacks through the Kept Animals Bill earli- er this summer. It says improved pow- ers will see police respond to livestock worrying incidents more effectively. Livestock leaders say the proposed legislation should go further. The National Sheep Association
says penalties should be increased to the same level as Scotland, where of- fenders can be fined up to £40,000 and spend a year in jail.
Dog attacks on sheep are becoming more frequent
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