Sheep Worrying: A Growing Problem in the UK Countryside

Sheep worrying is a distressing issue that affects farmers and their livestock. It occurs when dogs chase, attack, or stress sheep, leading to severe consequences for the animals and the farmers. Let’s delve into the causes, effects, and solutions to this problem.

Sheep worrying is legally defined as when a dog attacks sheep, chases them in a way that causes injury or suffering, or is not under control on agricultural land. Even if a dog doesn’t physically harm the sheep, the stress caused by chasing can lead to severe outcomes such as death from stress or abortion in pregnant ewe.

Dogs have a natural instinct to chase, and when they encounter sheep, this instinct can lead to harmful behaviour.

Let’s look at the causes

Lack of Control: Dogs off-leash or not under close supervision can easily chase sheep.
Excitement or Aggression: Dogs may chase sheep out of excitement or aggression, both of which can cause harm.
Increased Dog Ownership: More people owning dogs and walking them in rural areas has led to a rise in incidents (especially since covid).

What impact does it have?

Physical Injury: Sheep can suffer bite wounds, claw marks, and other injuries that may require veterinary treatment or lead to death.
Stress and Miscarriage: The stress from being chased can cause sheep to die or pregnant ewes to miscarry.
Economic Loss: Farmers face financial losses due to injured or dead livestock and damaged property.
Mental Health: The distress and frustration from repeated incidents can severely affect farmers’ mental health.

Sheep worrying is on the rise!

Economic Impact: In 2023, farm animals worth an estimated £2.4 million were severely injured or killed by dogs. The South West was the worst-hit region, with dog attacks on livestock costing an estimated £359,000.
Frequency of Incidents: According to a survey by the National Sheep Association, 70% of respondents had at least one sheep worrying incident in the last 12 months.

What can you do as a dog owner?

Keep Dogs on a Lead: Always keep dogs on a lead when near livestock to prevent chasing.
Educate other Dog Owners: Raise awareness about the consequences of sheep worrying and encourage responsible dog ownership.
Head any Signs: Farmers often put up signs to remind dog walkers to keep their dogs under control.
Report Incidents: Any incident of sheep worrying should be reported to the police to help track patterns and prevent future occurrences.