Rural Crime Team is set for action to prevent canine attacks on livestock
CHESHIRE Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team is taking part in a National Week of Action on preventing canine livestock attacks.
The Operation Recall Week of Action runs from March 27 to April 3 and will see officers from the Rural Crime Unit joining forces with Naturewatch Foundation, RSPCA, National Sheep Association and Cheshire East Council to highlight the impact livestock attacks have not only on the farmers but the dog owners and their dogs.
Police forces up and down the country are planning events for the week of action to raise awareness with the public and provide tips on how to keep family pets safe, as well as livestock.
On Saturday, March 30, Cheshire’s Rural Crime Team will be at Teggs
Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road in Macclesfield and will be available to chat to visitors about the issue and how to keep your dog safe.
Research from the National Farmers’ Union suggests that incidents of livestock worrying are increasing and incidents, according to the RSPCA, can have a “devastating effect”.
The NFU reports that the cost of livestock worrying to farmers has increased by 50% between 2019 and 2022 as the boom of puppies purchased during the pandemic came of age.
PC Jim Clark said: “With such increases of livestock worrying, it’s vital we work together to try to prevent further incidents. They have such a harrowing impact on all those involved. We certainly aren’t demonising dogs – we just want to keep everyone safe and protect animals and livelihoods.
“We’re lucky to have such fantastic countryside on our doorstep which many will be enjoying over the Easter weekend. That’s why we’ll be at Teggs Nose, so that we can spread the message to as many people as possible, that everyone can enjoy the countryside if we do it considerately and safely.”