[C]umbria Police is renewing its plea to dog owners to keep their dogs under control when walking in the countryside.
So far this year there have already been 33 incidents of sheep worrying – which includes attacking or chasing livestock – and 9 in April alone. These incidents have taken place right across the county including in Ainstable, Ambleside, Cleator Moor, Kirkby Lonsdale and Roweltown.
It is an offence to allow a dog to worry livestock and in some circumstances landowners have a defence in law to shoot dogs that are endangering their livestock.
Police have the power to seize a dog to prevent worrying, and an owner can be fined up to £1,000 for the offence.
Wildlife Officer Sarah Rolland said: “This is a very serious issue that can lead to significant consequences for sheep and therefore farmers, who depend on these animals for their income.
“It is frustrating and sad to see that this keeps happening, when it is so easily prevented. Owners are urged to simply keep their dogs under control and on a lead, and just because a field may be empty one day, it does not mean that it will not be full of animals the next. Always exercise caution.
“A dog does not have to physically attack livestock to cause harm – even chasing them can cause distress and easily cause a pregnant sheep to miscarry lambs.
“Owners must also remember that farmers are within their rights to shoot a dog that is worrying sheep on their land, and this will obviously cause huge distress.
“We will continue to take a proactive approach and positive action against those that allow the offence to occur, and appreciate any information from members of the public which could help us identify those responsible for these crimes.”
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “It is disappointing that some dog owners are still not taking responsibility for their dogs, as the number of these incidents demonstrate.
“People need to understand that the worrying of livestock can have devastating consequences for farm and animals and for farmers and their businesses and the police will take action where dog owners fail to act responsibly.”
Anyone who would like to report an incident of sheep worrying should contact Cumbria Police on 101.
