BBC will plant 750,000 new trees
A FARMER has called in police after several sheep and lambs were killed or badly injured by an out of control dog.
Terry Rowan, who owns 70 Acre Farm on the outskirts of Honley, near Holmfirth, says repeated attacks on livestock are putting his livelihood at risk.
He says there have been around five separate attacks on sheep and lambs at his farm this year, with a rise in incidents coinciding with the start of the first lockdown in March.
Mr Rowan has been met with verbal abuse from a handful of dog walkers when he’s asked them to put their animals on a lead as they walk across his land via public footpaths or bridleways.
And someone has taken to posting bags of dog poo into a letterbox outside his family home.
He says this has happened “numerous times”, the most recent being around three weeks ago.
Mr Rowan called West Yorkshire Police on Saturday after sheep belonging to a tenant farmer were injured or killed, probably on Friday night or Saturday morning.
“Five sheep have been killed in the last couple of days,” he said.
“I will be putting up more signs which say ‘Warning. Sheep grazing - please keep dogs on lead.’
“We have had numerous attacks - about five or six - since March. I appreciate that owners like to exercise their dogs but they need to keep them on a lead.”
Mr Rowan says it was “very distressing” to see the injuries inflicted on the animals.
“I am fed up and find it depressing and it makes me feel like packing it in. I put hours and hours into it, night and day. It is a very hard job.”
Mr Rowan has spent thousands of pounds on livestock this year but has also invested a lot of money on fencing, gates and walls, partly to protect his animals from out of control dogs.
“I will be putting up more fences and more signs. The police are taking this seriously.”
His message is simple: “If you have a dog, please be responsible for it.”
West Yorkshire Police were approached for comment.
BBC’S Countryfile has launched a project to plant 750,000 trees.
The two-year initiative, called Plant Britain, will encourage viewers to help grow the trees at various sites across the UK in an effort to tackle climate change.
The initial target of 750,000 has been set to mirror the number of children starting primary school this year, according to the BBC.
The project will be launched on Sunday in a special episode of the programme.
Presenter Anita Rani said: “Plant Britain is something for everyone to be involved with, to do their bit for their mental health, wellbeing and the environment.
“A tree for every child starting school is such a wonderful aim, for children to be able to connect with nature, plant a seed, watch it grow and leave a legacy for the next generation.
“Whether you have a garden, a backyard or even just a windowsill, this is for everybody.
“You can plant in soil, plant in a yoghurt pot, but just plant something.”
The programme is working with the Woodland Trust to supply the trees to viewers. An online interactive map will be used to log where the plants are being grown.
Plant Britain will launch on Countryfile on Sunday on BBC1.