Farmers on high alert for rise in dog attacks

FARMERS in North Wales are braced for a spike in dog attacks as “pandemic puppies” get their first taste of the countryside as the lambing season peaks.

Visitors are being asked to ensure their puppies are ready for the countryside.

Since the start of the pandemic an estimated 3.2m homes in the UK have taken in a new pet.

As Covid-19 restrictions ease, farmers fear an influx of walkers and their inexperienced dogs will spark further increases in sheep worrying incidents.

The RSPCA has teamed up with the National Sheep Association (NSA) to highlight the potential devastation caused by dogs running loose in fields full of heavily pregnant ewes and newborn lambs.

Recently a ewe was mauled to death in Cemaes Bay, Anglesey – recently named the most dog-friendly place in Wales. “There will be lots of dogs this year that, as puppies, were not socialised with other animals due to lockdown, and so their first experience of livestock could be as an adult,” said Sam Gaines, the RSPCA’s dog welfare specialist.

Natural Resources Wales released a revised Countryside Code in response to issues raised during lockdown, such as increases in littering and sheep worrying by dogs.

As well as a request to “always keep your dogs under control and in sight”, the code has a new directive asking people to bag and bin dog poo.

Dog faeces can cause Neosporosis, an infectious disease which causes abortion and stillbirth in dairy and beef cattle.

The Country Land and Business Association is offering advice on walking dogs in the countryside so new owners can protect their pets and keep livestock safe.

One alarming trend highlighted by the North Wales Police rural crime team is the emergence of sheep worrying videos. It launched an investigation after being made aware of an online site asking people to send in videos of dogs misbehaving.

Last year the UK cost of livestock worrying rose more than 10% to an estimated £1.3m. Following the surge in pet ownership, rural insurer NFU Mutual fears the cost will rise dramatically. It urges walkers to report livestock worrying incidents using the What3Words app.