Farmers shoot 52 dogs over attacks
MORE than 50 dogs were shot by farmers in North Wales protecting their livestock over a four-year period.
The figures were shared by the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), which made the disclosure amid fresh calls to toughen the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.
Dr Hazel Wright, FUW senior policy officer, said there were 449 cases of livestock attacks in Wales by dogs between 2013-17 – but she claims this could be higher as many farmers don’t report incidents to police due to a lack of confidence in the legal system.
However Dr Wright praised North Wales Police’s dedicated rural crime team, holding it up as the blueprint for all forces in Wales.
It is the only one in the country that keeps statistics.
It revealed 52 dogs had been shot between 2013-17.
In order to legally shoot dogs trespassing on agricultural land farmers must essentially prove they were: worrying (or there was no way of preventing the dog from worrying) livestock, the dog was unable to be stopped by other means, was there uninvited and was not under someone’s control.
Dr Wright believes recording incidents should be mandatory for all Welsh forces and police should have the power to take DNA from suspected dangerous dogs.
“The only solution to the problem is to tackle dog attacks in the way that North Wales police have, setting up a dedicated unit to police the rural parts of every county,” said Dr Wright.
Statistics from NWP’s rural crime team show 89% of attacks are committed by dogs that strayed from home.
Yet Dr Wright says present “antiquated” laws do little to recompense farmers or prevent dog owners from letting their animals out to attack again.
Four outdated pieces of legislation govern livestock attacks, she said, which include some strange anomalies.
Currently attacks are only enforceable on arable land, not when a farmer is moving sheep between fields on a public highway. Also animals, such as deer, llamas and alpacas, are not covered by the 1953 act.
Dr Wright is calling for proper recompense for farmers who lose out financially and police powers which would allow them to take DNA from suspected dangerous dogs.
She added: “The FUW believes in introducing new laws, which will act as a powerful
deterrent to prevent dog owners allowing their animals to stray.”
Across the UK 15,000 sheep died as a result of dog attacks in 2016, causing more than £1.3m in annual losses to farmers alone.
That figure excludes the cost of abortions, loss of breeding stock and veterinary bills.
Dr Wright said: “No farmer wants any animal killed needlessly, and the lack of substantive legal action means there is no real deterrent for dog owners.
“It appears education alone cannot solve this complex issue, but hopefully changes in legislation to ensure the seriousness of this offence is understood, can give Welsh and English police the powers to properly deal with offenders and provide a deterrent which means less stock and fewer family pets are lost.”
Ceredigion MP Ben Lake has been at the forefront of trying to push Parliament into adopting tougher legislation.
He agrees with the FUW it should be mandatory for police forces to record attacks on livestock.
He added: “Too many sheep are being killed and horribly mutilated.
“I support calls by police forces and farming unions for the law to be amended so that dog attacks on livestock are recorded as a matter of course and that police forces are granted the power to obtain DNA samples from suspect dogs.
“Furthermore, fines levied upon offenders need to be proportionate to the damage and harm caused, and farmers must be fully compensated – which at present does not happen.”
Scotland is taking a lead on the problem, having introduced a consultation in February on proposals for tougher laws.
South Scotland MSP Emma Harper has called for Holyrood to impose new legislation to deter owners from letting their dogs out after a 67% rise in attacks during the previous two years.
The FUW wants similar action to protect Welsh farmers by calling on UK Parliament to have a rethink and update the law.
*Mandatory recording of dog attacks on livestock by all Welsh police forces.
Changes to the current limited and outdated fines – currently a maximum non imprisonable offence with a maximum fine of up to £1,000.
Fines levied on offenders should be proportionate and should allow for full compensation
Police forces granted the power to obtain DNA samples from suspect dogs
Powers to confiscate dogs.
Legal responsibility for dog owner to report attack to prevent badly injured sheep being left to suffer
*Failure to report an attack should be an offence
*Power to ban an owner from owning another dog.
Powers of dog destruction after conviction with the 1953 act.
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