TWO incidents of sheep being attacked have led to officers urging dog owners to keep their pets on a leash.
Three sheep were believed to have been attacked by a dog and injured in West Hoe Lane, Bishop’s Waltham, between 3pm on Saturday, February 16 and 8am on Monday, February 18. One of the sheep had to be destroyed.
A pregnant sheep also suffered a bite wound to her face in Clanfield on Thursday, January 31.
PC Jon Radcliffe from the Countrywatch team said: ‘Even the most well-behaved dog can revert to instinct when near livestock.
‘If a dog worries livestock, the dog owner or the person responsible for the dog at the time is guilty may be sued for compensation by the farmer.
‘Landowners have the right, as a last resort, to shoot any dog worrying their livestock – so these owners are putting their pet at unnecessary risk.
‘We by no means want to stop dog walkers from enjoying the countryside but we do want to remind them of their responsibility to keep their pet under control.’
Comments