Police are reminding dog owners to keep their pets on a lead following reports of dog attacks on livestock in the South Wight and West Wight areas.
Hampshire Constabulary’s local Countrywatch team say that they have been made aware of instances of sheep being attacked – or ‘worried’ – in rural parts of the Isle of Wight.
The dog nor owner were seen during the attacks but Police are taking the opportunity to remind dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead and under control. Tip: check out Mypetneedsthat for the best dog leashes on the market right now.
If your dog worries livestock you may end up being sued for compensation and, in some circumstances, farmers are legally entitled to shoot and kill dogs if they are endangering their sheep.
Advice for farmers
• If you have a camera you should photograph the dog and owner. Preferably take the photograph before approaching the person so it does not inflame the situation once you have spoken to them.
If possible, also gain a witness to the situation and get their name and phone number or address (make sure they understand they should give their name and address as they are witness to a crime).
• Never place yourself in danger. If the person becomes aggressive move away immediately.
• Politely tell the individual to leave your property on the grounds that the dog is worrying the sheep and they are breaking the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. If they fail to leave, state you will be asking the police to speak to them – try to get their name (unlikely) or a car number plate, write down a full description of that person.
• Phone 101 and state a crime is taking place as a dog is worrying the sheep.
Seems just a lot too much faff. Just shoot the dog owner.
ABSOLUTELY!
Whilst this is awful for the sheep and farmers, this dog control cuts both ways, or should.
I was walking through Elmsworth Farm footpath at Porchfield when two vicious sheep dogs came running at me. I had no dog of my own with me at the time. I was fortunate and had a walking stick which gave me some self protection.
The ‘lady’ of the house had no control and such should be kept in, or under control IF they expect others to respect dog on lead signage etc.
This is likely deliberate. The lady in question doesn’t like people walking through the farm. She is very well ‘known’ locally. Glad you were well protected. This should have been reported to the Police.
OH NO NOT AGAIN. MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL. keep your f***ING dogs on a lead when around any livestock when out walking. If I had a farm with sheep, cattle etc and dogs kept attacking my property I wouldn’t hesitate in shooting these damn dogs. Shame for the dog because it’s the OWNERS THAT ARE AT FAULT. They think they are in the countryside and it’s ok just to let their dogs off lead and then they have no control over their dog. KEEP YOUR DOG UNDER CONTROL. why should livestock suffer. Selfish, stupid owners.
‘Not my dog, never seen it before’
‘He’s not doing any harm, it’s the sheeps fault for provoking him by running away – he only wanted to play’
5 Principles of Responsible Dog Ownership
Contain, Control, Maintain, Train, and Socialize