A number of sheep have been killed as a result of dogs running off leads in a field on the Isle of Wight, prompting a witness appeal to be launched by Police.
On Sunday afternoon (24th November), sheep were chased by a dog in the fields off Worsley Road, Newport, with one fleeing through a boundary fence and running off towards Hunnyhill.
Tragically, 3 of the sheep involved in this incident died as a result of stress.
Then, yesterday lunchtime (Thursday), at around 12:50, sheep were chased by a dog in the same field off Worsley Road again, and one of the sheep was later found wandering in a brook. None of the sheep were reported injured or killed on this occasion.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is appealing for anyone with information about these incidents specifically, or concerns around livestock worrying in this area, to contact Police on 101, quoting 44240511747.
Livestock worrying is when a dog attacks or chases livestock on agricultural land or is at large in a field with livestock, which can result in significant injury or suffering and in the worst cases, death of the animals involved. This also has devastating consequences for livestock keepers, causing personal distress as well as significant financial costs.
Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, it is a criminal offence for a dog to actively worry livestock and dog owners risk prosecution.
Some key points to bear in mind to help with the welfare of livestock and your dog:
- It is so important to keep dogs either on leads or under close control around livestock
- If you are walking your dog in a field and there is no livestock, keep the dog in sight at all times, be aware of what it is doing, and be confident it will return to you promptly on command. If you cannot be confident of this, the dog should not be off the lead
- Ensure the dog does not stray off the path or area where you have right of access
- It is a criminal offence for a dog to actively worry livestock. Owners need to be aware that in such instances, the owner or person in control of the dog can be prosecuted, and as a last resort the dog can be shot by the farmer to end an attack
It’s about time owners who let their dogs off
Leads are fined heavily.
Sadly innocent sheep have been killed
so I would personally put the owner of the dog
in prison.
We must stop such incidents happening.
Shocking behaviour
Ha! You say innocent sheep. How do you know? And what about those guilty ones?
So many selfish idiots around today. Last summer, walking through Seaclose park, I spotted a Rottweiler, off its lead, about 50 yards away. The dog stopped running around and looked at me. Then it started running towards me at full pelt. I froze, but I didn’t know whether to start running or stay still. The adrenaline rush was something else. I was terrified. meanwhile, the owner is shouting: ‘She won’t harm you!’. The dog didn’t harm me but that’s NOT THE POINT! NOBODY should be placed in a situation where they are going for a leisurely walk, and have to endure this fear.
An animal off the lead is a weapon on the loose.
I look at many dog owners and feel sorry for the dog.
I always keep my dog on a lead.
Ya big softy
No that is what the dogs leave behind them,
many owners who leave their dogs off leads
do not see when the dogs drops one, and
therefore does not pick up the mess.
Heavy fines are the only way to teach these
Idiot dog owners.
You’ve basically summed up why all dogs should be kept on leads all the time in public spaces! No such thing as a safe environment when a loose dog is around, sadly.