Farmers prepare for an increase in dog attacks over the Easter period

Spring visitors to the countryside are being urged to keep their dogs under control as farmers brace themselves for a wave of attacks on their sheep over Easter.

Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual is concerned that the Easter break could see an influx of walkers unfamiliar with the Countryside Code and unaware of how their new dogs will behave around livestock.

it’s a critical time for farmers as the spring lambing period is now well underway, meaning ewes and new born lambs are often grazing close to footpaths, which can put them at risk of dog attacks.

According to a survey of dog owners commissioned by NFU Mutual, 88% of people say they now walk their dog in the countryside.

While 64% of dog owners say they let their dog run free in the countryside - half admit their pet doesn’t always come back when called.

Many farm animals are seriously injured or killed each year in dog attacks. Livestock worrying cost the Midlands an estimated £221,000 last year, according to NFU Mutual statistics.

Across the UK, the cost of dog attacks rose by over 10% in 2020 to an estimated £1.3m.

Even if dogs don’t make contact, the distress of the chase can also cause sheep to die, miscarry and separate lambs from their mothers.

rebecca Davidson, rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “These attacks cause immense suffering to animals and are devastating for farmers.

“Dog attacks are easily preventable if owners keep their pets under control and on a lead when livestock may be nearby. Doing so keeps sheep and their lambs safe from harm and stops a country walk turning into carnage.”

Walkers are also being urged to report any incidents of livestock worrying they may witness. The ‘What3words’ app can be used to pinpoint your exact location, so you can report where you have seen an incident to within a 3m x 3m area.

Attacks can leave livestock with painful injuries, so prompt and accurate information could save animals hours of suffering.

Alarmingly, only 18% of those surveyed said they would call the police if they saw a dog chasing or attacking livestock and only 15% would report it to the farmer.

To make dog walking safe, NFU

Mutual is issuing the following advice:

■■ Always keep dogs on the lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept but let go of the lead if chased by cattle

■■ Be aware that even small lap dogs can chase, injure and kill animals

■■ Take special care to keep close control of dogs unused to farm animals

■■ report attacks by dogs and sightings of dogs roaming the countryside.

■■ Don’t let dogs loose and unsupervised in gardens adjoining livestock fields.