Distracted dog owners who believe their pets would never attack farm animals are putting sheep in the South East at risk of horrific and fatal injuries, new research from NFU Mutual reveals.
NFU Mutual’s latest survey of over 1,100 dog owners has found that despite 64% of owners admitting their dogs chase animals, almost half (46%) believe their dog was not capable of injuring or killing livestock.
Many dog owners are unaware that even if their pet doesn’t make contact with a sheep, the distress and exhaustion caused by being chased can trigger a pregnant ewe to die or miscarry. Young lambs can also become separated from their mothers.
On the Isle of Wight, there have been many incidents in recent years where large numbers of sheep have been killed whilst grazing in fields. There have also been indecent more recently involving livestock in small holdings and gardens.
Results from the NFU Mutual survey shows that 64% of owners say they let their dog roam off-lead in the countryside. However, 39% admit that their pets do not always come back when called.
The harsh reality of some dog owners’ failure to control their pets is evident in the latest figures based on claims data from NFU Mutual. The rural insurer estimates farm animals in the South East worth £210,124 were severely injured or killed by dogs in 2022, making it the 3rd highest English region by cost.
Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist said:
“It’s clear that a significant number of dog owners in the South East are blinded by their love for their pets and believe that they would never chase, attack or kill livestock.
Article continues below this advertisement “We’ve heard reports from farmers that dog walkers are becoming more distracted, often on their mobile phones with their pets out of sight and are seemingly unaware of the carnage their dog could cause.
“The Covid-19 pandemic saw a boom in dog ownership as many people purchased puppies for the first time, yet these may not have been trained properly or be familiar with farm animals.
“It is concerning that these now fully-grown dogs will be visiting farmland as we get into spring at a time when pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are vulnerable.
“Farmers near cities, towns and our many tourist areas, as well as those farming the Commons in the New Forest, are also living in fear of repeat attacks, which cause horrific suffering to sheep and can traumatise their families as they deal with the aftermath.
“That is why we are calling for dog owners to be responsible and accept their pets, however friendly, are capable of chasing and attacking farm animals and should be kept on a lead when walked anywhere near livestock.”
NFU Mutual is calling on dog owners to:
- Keep dogs on a lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept but let go of the lead if chased by cattle
- Be aware that even small dogs can cause distress, injury and death of farm animals
- Report attacks by dogs to the police or local farmers
- Never let dogs loose unsupervised in gardens near livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and attack sheep grazing nearby
LOVE DOGS, HATE DOG OWNERS !
Love dogs, hate irresponsible and ignorant people.
The ‘Average’ dog owner does not give a Flying F… what ‘their’ pooch is doing!
They always protest that it is ‘irresponsible’ owners…
Just how many poo bags in trees or SHIT on the footpath do we HAVE to ‘tolerate’ before they accept they ALL have no consideration for non-dog owner’s?!
This is not Dogs killing and Injuring livestock
Please watch Richard D Halls documentary Silent killers for the truth.
For context, Richard D Hall is the bloke who stalks victims of terrorist attacks to gain “evidence” that they were actors and the attacks were faked.
Apparently – he is a conspiracy theorist.
Presumably then, farmers having a pack of hunting hounds, howling and running through their lands don’t cause the sheep to suffer, but a dog on a lead does?
Not saying that dog owners are responsible, many aren’t but odd how individual dog poo is a ‘danger to livestock’ and yet hounds poop, must be like those humans taking part in the hunt, have no odour.
And will they listen? NO! Much like the poorly trained mutt they own.
Makes me so angry. Why are some dog owners so bloody stupid, nothing between the ears! It’s not difficult. KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD when walking near livestock. No matter how well behaved you think your dog is, natural prey drive instinct kicks in.
If I were a farmer and I saw my sheep or lambs being chased and attacked, I would fire a warning shot from my shotgun, that would bring the dappy, distracted owners back to reality!
Fox’s dont get enough credit. Nevermind some biased survey with the preconceived idea that every sheep killed with bite Marks clearly visible has been blamed on dogs. Most dogs I see walk their owners so you cant expect a canine to not chase, nevertheless I have witnessed a fox stalk and catch a lamb, this happens and your a fool to believe every sheep or lamb have been slaughtered by a dog and you know, the funny thing is that every owner I see Carrys those wretched treats like that is poor ownership, if you need a treat in your pocket to connect with your dog or get your dog to behave, should’nt even have the dog..
“if you need a treat in your pocket to connect with your dog or get your dog to behave, should’nt even have the dog”
you obviously know nothing about dog training,..
in future please leave advice on dog training to the experts
Bring back Dog registration and recorded licences.And I’m a Dog owner, too many idiots out there with half a brain cell thinking they know best all the time.
Compulsory chipping? Licensing?
It is time that farmers exercised the right they have under law to protect their stock and start shooting dogs on their land which are running free and threatening stock. after the first half dozen shot dog owners will wake up to the fact that they have a right to walk a footpath but no right to stray off it and dogs must be on a lead at all times.
Dogs — keep your owners on a tight lead whenever you are out in public, especially near other owners, animals and cliff edges. If they get distracted by their mobile phones give them a playful nip on the ankle to remind them to be responsible and to enjoy the walk and scenery.
I ride my mountain bike off-road and over the past 10 or so years some dog owners are becoming increasing less responsible. I often come across dogs that are off the lead and out of control and I have been knocked off my bike once, injuring me and my bike and the dog owner didn’t seem to care.
I walk my dog on a short lead and yet get constant shouts of “coming through” and major bell pinging as if we’re a problem. And nearly get mowed over. It’s quite annoying actually. I also pick up poo from others left if I come across it. I HATE (and cannot understand it at all) when I see poo bags in trees. Don’t tarnish all us dog owners in the same way. It is – as with most things in life such as drivers, cyclists, people generally – there’s the good and there’s the bad.