Appeal to dog owners after lamb is savaged
A SHEEP owner has issued a plea to dog walkers after one of her lambs was savaged.
The seven-month old lamb suffered a shattered shoulder and bite marks which suggested the dog had picked her up in its teeth and ragged her around.
The animal’s injuries were so severe it had to be put to sleep.
The out-of-control dog got into the securely-fenced field in Ashby Road, Packington, some time after 11am last Thursday, flock owner Jacqui Williams said.
Jacqui, from Ashby, said: “This was so preventable. I just want to ask dog owners to show some responsibility and keep their animals on a lead whenever they are anywhere near livestock – whether they are in a field or next to one.
“Don’t presume your dog just wants to play with the sheep. People say ‘my dog would never hurt another animal,’ but the sheep don’t know that and they become very distressed.
“I’d been up to the field at 11am to check on the sheep, and fed them. The farm owner was doing some work there and found the injured lamb a few hours later, at 3pm.
“There’s no footpath through the field, but there is one which runs between it and the next field.
“I can only assume the dog was off the lead and got over the fence.”
The family keeps 37 sheep, mostly pedigree Ryeland breed, in the rented field, and about 20 are due to give birth, Jacqui said.
“They were very distressed when I first got there – they were huddled together to protect each other,” she said.
Of the injured lamb, she said: “When we got here the lamb was still alive but wasn’t able to stand up, so I called the vet. At first we thought it was a broken leg.
“We could see some blood on her neck but when her fleece was shaved we could see the extent of her injuries. She had a shattered shoulder and puncture wounds down her spine.
“It’s not common but I have heard there was a similar incident in Donisthorpe a couple of days before.
“If the person had owned up straight away then maybe we’d have got there a few hours earlier and something could have been done and the lamb would have suffered less.
“Sheep are sheep and they will get ill, but we can have diseases treated. This is such a waste of life because someone was not able to keep their dog under control.”
The attack has been reported to police, she said.
Last week the Burton Mail reported that two sheep were killed and eight injured in a seperate attack just a few miles away in Donisthorpe between December 17 and 18.
The incidents led to North West Leicestershire Police issuing a warning to those walking their dogs in rural areas where it is likely they will come across livestock.
A spokesman said: “For those of you who have dogs and like to go for walks in the more rural areas, it is highly likely that you will come across livestock.
“At present, I am dealing with two incidents where sheep have been attacked, not only causing injuries and death to some, but it has also had costly implications for the owners.”
The spokesman added: “It is important that you keep your dog on a lead and under control around livestock even if you believe that they would return if you called them.
“It is important to make sure that boundaries to your property are secure to prevent your dog from escaping and causing harm. A farmer is allowed to kill a dog if it’s worrying their livestock.
“There is no excuse, please take responsibility.”
Anyone who saw anything is urged to call Leicestershire Police on 101 and provide their details for PC 237 Emma Holmes, the officer in charge.