‘This needs to stop!’: Rutland’s Rural Policing Team issue warning to dog owners during lambing season
Leicestershire and Rutland Rural Policing Team have issued a statement across their social media raising warning local people about how dangerous their dogs can be to livestock, especially during lambing season.
The team said: "In light of finally having some sunshine, many of you will be heading out for a stroll in the countryside without canine companion. Idyllic as that sounds, sadly we are receiving reports of dog attacks on livestock.
"Livestock worrying has a huge impact on the farming community, not only financially, but also emotionally. No farmer wants to find their animals killed, maimed or injured as a result of a dog attack. Often incidents go unreported, leaving animals stressed, injured, or dying in a field until the farmer makes the gruesome recovery."
It is imperative that should your dog harm or kill livestock, contact the farmer, police or a vet so the animals are not left to suffer.
The team shared tips to avoid dogs from disrupting or harming livestock:
- Stick to the footpaths,
- Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings and what your dog is doing,
- Ensure your dog recalls reliably – if you are unsure, keep them on the lead at all times and do not take the risk,
- Ensure that your garden is secure to prevent your dog escaping,
- Report livestock worrying to the farmer or the police
Farmers have no legal obligation to put signs up to warn dog owners that there is livestock in the field as it is often impractical for farmers to do this if they move animals to different fields regularly.
If a farmer has an appropriate firearm licence, they can legally shoot a dog if it is needed to protect their livestock. While this is rare and an absolute last resort, this has had to happen twice already this year when the farmer had no other option to protect their herd. This is devastating for the owner, their family and the farmer and must be absolutely avoided where possible.
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