A DESPERATE plea has been made to countryside visitors to help prevent dog attacks on farm animals in Dorset this Easter.

With summer beach bans for dogs coming into force and lockdown restrictions gradually easing, more dog walkers are expected to head to the countryside over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend - a critical time for farmers as the peak lambing period is under way.

Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team said it was a criminal offence for dogs to be off leads or under control close to sheep in a field, and urged dog owners to avoid walking near livestock altogether.NFU Mutual has warned that many farm animals are seriously injured or killed each year in dog attacks, with the issue of 'livestock worrying' costing the region an estimated £185,000 last year.

Across the UK, the cost of dog attacks rose by over 10 per cent in 2020 to an estimated £1.3m.

NFU Mutual said that not only can contact result in horrific and even fatal injuries, the distress of the chase can also cause sheep to die, miscarry or separate lambs from their mothers.

According to a survey of dog owners commissioned by NFU Mutual, 88 per cent of people say they now walk their dog in the countryside. The pandemic has seen a surge in pet ownership and countryside visitors, and there are concerns some will be unfamiliar with the Countryside Code and how their pet may react around livestock.

Roz Hills, South West Regional Manager at NFU Mutual, said: “These attacks cause an immense amount of suffering to animals and are devastating for farmers to have to deal with. Even if a dog doesn’t make contact with a sheep it can still cause terrible distress to the animal.

“These incidents are all so easily preventable if owners keep their dogs under control, either on a lead or secure when they’re in gardens, when livestock may be nearby.

“With warmer weather on the way, it’s not surprising that more people will be wanting to get out and about and enjoy the countryside. It’s vital that dog owners take those small steps that can save a lot of heartache and upset.”

PC Claire Dinsdale from Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team says: “Under Dogs (The Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 it is a criminal offence for a dog to be off a lead or not otherwise under close control in a field of sheep, as well as for the dog to chase or attack livestock. Many of the dog owners involved in such investigations have stated that their dog ‘hadn’t done anything like it before’. Most dogs have a prey drive and some may not give any pre warning.

“The best thing responsible dog owners can do is to avoid the situation happening in the first place. Ideally we would ask dog owners to avoid walking right next to fields of livestock as plenty of incidents have occurred where a dog is off the lead and then goes under a fence or a gate. Secondly the dog needs to be on a lead in these locations, ideally with a harness to avoid damage to the dog’s throat from collar strain around its neck and the avoidance of the collar being pulled off which is one of the reasons why attacks have happened. Never assume your dog will not be interested. Thirdly dogs need to be in secure gardens where they cannot escape by gaps, jumping or digging.

“There may be a handful of dog owners who may feel aggrieved and question this. I would directly appeal to them and say, we have had several incidents a week of these attacks. This is completely unacceptable. Anyone coming to notice for a second time or for significant incidents will likely be dealt with by way of a court prosecution. Police can make applications for a Dog Control Order or for repeat cases, they could apply for the dog to be euthanised. We have seen horrific injuries to ewes as well as lambs and other livestock.

“It is crucial the farming community and the public report these crimes to police. 999 if happening now, 101 or online here https://www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online/

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