Campaign’s success as Bill clamps down on livestock attacks
AWESTCOUNTRY farmer campaigning to change the law following the death of his now famous Highland cow is one step closer to ensuring the safety of livestock across the country.
In-calf ‘Gladis’ had been grazing on the National Trust’s Eggardon Hill, an Iron Age hill fort to the east of Bridport in Dorset, when she was killed in a suspected dog attack on the evening of May 26.
Since then her owner, Cameron Farquharson, has been lobbying to make it a legal requirement for dogs to be on leads around livestock.
Backed by West Dorset MP Chris Loder and Farming Minister Victoria Prentis, the ‘Gladis Law’ campaign has proved successful in driving the issue of livestock worrying to the forefront of upcoming legislation seeing extra protections for livestock included within the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.
The Bill passed its first reading in the House of Commons earlier this summer, but many more stages remain in the House of Commons and the House of Lords until Royal Assent is given and the Bill officially becomes law.
Under the proposed law changes, dog walkers will now face criminal prosecution if their dog chases any livestock to the point of causing harm or abortion and will also be prosecuted if their dogs is off their lead or out of control in a field of sheep, poultry, or enclosed game birds.
Following this latest development, Mr Farquharson said: “We’re over the moon with the result, but we’re not counting our chickens until the dotted line is signed! We’ve been overwhelmed with donations from people all over the country, we’ve now had over £40,000 donated which is just incredible! We want to create a charity in Gladis’s name where these funds will go to help and support farming families who are struggling.
“The support from others really helped my family get through these difficult months, and it’s important for us that we can do the same for others when they need that support.”
The team behind the Gladis Law campaign has been working since May, petitioning the Government and getting as many people behind the campaign as possible.
Mr Farquharson added: “We would like to thank the media for covering the Gladis Law campaign, and we’d also like to say thank you to the farming community and every single person that has supported us in changing the law to help keep our livestock safe. Together we’ve done it!”
For further details, please visit the website www.gladis-law.com