Sheep attacks lead to warning to dog owners

The National Farmers Union said the increase in people taking their dogs out for walks in fields during lockdown has also increased the risk factor for fatal incidents.

Jake Richards, NFU county advisor for Essex, said more than 100 sheep were killed in separate incidents across the county by dogs which were out of control last year.

He said: “Most attacks are always pretty horrific.

“There was a chap who had a flock of sheep in the Chelmsford area. He had two attacks in the space of a fortnight, and he lost 30 sheep over the two events.

“Unfortunately, that was from some dogs which escaped from someone’s garden. When it happens, sheep tend to lose their ears and get disembowelled.

“The worst one I heard of was in the north east of the county where, in one event, a farmer found 12 sheep dead and another 35 had to be put down due to the seriousness if their injuries.

“The police are doing what they can but sometimes these events happen even when the dog owner is not around.

“We’re keen for people to keep their dogs on a lead when walking out in the countryside because even the tamest dog could attack sheep.

“At the moment, it’s even more important because we are heading into lambing season in March.

“Even if a dog does not attack the sheep, if it gets into a field or meadow where the sheep are, they can spook the sheep which can lead to aborted pregnancies.

“No-one’s to blame for this but the fact that more people are out and about in the countryside, which is great, does increase the risk of events like this happening.

“The large stock farmers are often the biggest animal lovers that you can come across.

Dozens of sheep were also attacked in East Bergholt last month

“The emotional and social pressure it puts on people who are already under pressure from cash flows, it’s phenomenal.

“I’ve had people on the phone to me in tears – not because they lost money, but they’ve lost their livestock and effectively, for their reason for getting up in the morning.”