Sheep worrying Q&A: ‘If you don’t report it, it hasn’t happened’
12th October 2021
This article was featured in the October/November 2021 edition of NSA's Sheep Farmer magazine. The magazine is an exclusive NSA membership benefit, packed with technical advice for the sector. Find out more about membership here.
During a year that’s seen a significant increase in the incidence of sheep worrying, as well as the introduction of two parliamentary bills associated with responsible dog ownership, NSA has taken the opportunity to gain some guidance from an experienced and dedicated police officer.
PC David Allen from North Wales Police has several years of experience dealing with sheep worrying and sits on the Livestock Worrying Roundtable. Here he fields questions raised by NSA members, providing guidance and direction to farmers should they have the misfortune to suffer a dog attack.
Q. What should I do with a dog that is worrying sheep when no owner is present?
A. Personal safety must be the first concern but, if deemed safe, try to capture the dog. If it is unsafe take pictures and videos, making sure to note markings and anything that helps to identify the dog. Certain distraction techniques can be used, such as shouting and waving arms, to stop the attack. If you are actually witnessing an attack it is imperative you report it immediately by calling 999. This is something that we cannot stress strongly enough – if you don’t report it, it hasn’t happened. The attack is a crime, so report it. That applies for all cases. If the attack has stopped, or the dog is no longer present, report it via 101. If we have a record, we can build up an event log.
If the owner is known but not present, a direct approach – by the police or the farmer – may be best. Local police do have options, from a low-level discussion and warning, through to putting certain restrictions in place and taking formal action.
Q. How do I find out who my local rural crime officer is and how do I contact them directly?
A. Not every force has a rural crime team. Search online to find out if there is one. If there is, the site should provide the local contact details and the team should also be contactable online.
Q. Is there a body that collects all the data regarding sheep worrying incidents across the country - not just those reported to police?
A. Not currently, but the Home Office is being pushed to make this happen. At the moment it is run by police on a voluntary basis. The Kept Animals Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, means databases are under consideration that may enable some recording. Swabbing for DNA is part of the proposals under the bill. Academics are working on the best practice for collecting and storing DNA.
Q. Who is responsible for signage, highlighting where livestock are grazing, when a public right of way either crosses or passes your land?
A. It does depend on who the land-owner is. It is a civil issue. But the use of signs does help raise awareness. It is more of a decision for the stock-owner, rather than the land-owner, and signs can be taken down and put up whenever and wherever appropriate.
Q. Gathering all the information required for a successful prosecution appears to be a major stumbling block. How can farmers be sure they have all the information and evidence required?
A. In addition to the points raised above, record the registration plates and make of any cars in the vicinity, as well as the direction the dog or dogs have travelled after the attack, details on injured animals, and other damage to property (gates, fences and stiles) and make sure you have reported the attack.
Q. I recently had an attack. We caught the dog and so we found out who the owner was, so I was fully compensated. The police issued a press release, but wouldn’t add a photo of our injured sheep. Why couldn’t the photo be added, to shock people into controlling their dogs?
A. Every force has its own policy, so it is difficult to comment on particular cases. But there is evidence that shows the use of graphic and gory images does not work with the public. They tend to dismiss such images as being over dramatic.
Q. What boxes need to be ticked, or what evidence is required, before I can shoot the dog?
A. The decision to shoot a dog is a personal choice and should always be considered as the last resort. Circumstances will dictate whether it is appropriate. The attack must be ongoing and you must be able to demonstrate that all has been done to stop the attack, before shooting the dog. If you do have to shoot it you must report it to the police within 48 hours – and preferably straight away. If the attack has finished the dog cannot be shot. If the dog is no longer in the same field as the livestock it cannot be shot. Also important to remember is if the dog is injured, and not killed, then it becomes your responsibility to ensure appropriate veterinary care is given.
PC Allen also points out how much of the new legislation progressing through Parliament has been formulated based on feedback from NSA members, and reiterated how important it is to continue to report all incidents. The new act is intended to strengthen the ability to deal with persistent offenders, to provide more power for the police to be able to act, and pursue cases to a satisfactory resolution. NSA would like to thank all members who contributed questions and will, in due course, provide answers in full to all questions in the NSA Sheep Worrying section online.
For further resources on sheep worrying by dogs, click here. NSA also has blue, weatherproof dog control signs, which are available to NSA members at no cost. Just email enquiries@nationalsheep.org.uk with your membership number to be sent some.
