Parish council leader blasts dog owners after death of 12 ewes

A COMMUNITY leader in Calderdale has blasted irresponsible dog owners after 12 pregnant ewes died.

Peter Hunt, chairman of the Ripponden Parish Council, is worried about the alarming increase in visitors driving to Ripponden to walk their dogs, specifically within the Paroish’s Soyland ward.

Mr Hunt said visitors are not just breaking government lockdown rules, but that groups of walkers are causing both environment damage and a lack of community safety.

He said: “Of particular concern is the death of 12 healthy pregnant ewes on farmland. This is on account of them consuming dog faeces belonging to walkers who let them loose on fields.”

A statement from Rippendon Parish Council, said: “A substantial number of people are travelling to Soyland for personal exercise and to walk their dog during the lockdown period.

“This unusual situation has had a severe impact upon Soyland residents. Local farmers are suffering grave losses of rare breed livestock.

“Sheep, specifically pregnant ewes, have been poisoned by dog faeces left on fields.

“Other residents describe people rambling through private gardens, yards, farms and places of business, making it difficult for them to conform to social-distancing instructions.

“One elderly lady even faced verbal abuse from individuals that entered her private yard and loitered by her kitchen window.

Calderdale Coun Susan Press, said: “Failing to clean up after your dog when it has fouled in certain areas is an offence and we won’t hesitate to take enforcement action.”