Crime casts deep shadow over life in Herriot’s rural idyll
HE ONCE worked alongside world-famous vet and author Alfred Wight, known to millions by his pen name James Herriot.
But these days, life in rural England is a world away from its portrayal in those nostalgic muchloved books, says Peter Wright.
The straight-talking star of hit show The Yorkshire Vet said the lockdown boom in dog ownership makes him “cringe” and he blasted the thieves now targeting family pets to make huge profits.
The illegal practice of dog coursing in the countryside leaves livestock savaged and police powerless to act, he reveals.
The cases are even too gory to be featured in The Yorkshire Vet.
Peter still practices in the area where he once worked alongside Wight. His life among the rolling hills of North Yorkshire is captured in the popular Channel 5 show – regularly watched by two million viewers – which has just returned for its 13th season.
Peter admits he is mystified by its success after initially warning producers nobody would watch it.
Herriot’s beloved stories have been brought back to life in a much
‘Dogs attack and leave devastation’
praised revival of All Creatures Great And Small. Yet while counting his blessings, Peter, 64, says today’s world is very different to the one depicted back in the 1950s.
The vet says he’s glad to see the Government stepping in to tackle the alarming rise in animal thefts fuelled by the growing price of puppies. Peter said. “It’s a strange state of affairs – they are so valuable that these callous thieves are stealing them, selling them on or even holding the animal to ransom.
“They are not like a car. Losing a loved pet causes massive emotional upset. I’ve seen it thousands of times in my career – it’s horrible.
“Hopefully, the measures proposed by the Government will be a deterrent.the sooner the better.”
Peter also says the rise in dog ownership during the pandemic made him cringe.
He said: “A lot of people were getting pets but they had not thought it through properly. They didn’t consider what would happen when they weren’t working from home, who was going to take on the job of walking the animal.
“And now we see dog centres are inundated with animals that people no longer want. I do find it very sad because, ultimately, it’s the pets that suffer.”
Peter also spoke about the devastating effect rural crime has on the community where he works and lives.
“The biggest problem around here is dog coursing, with people in 4x4s coming down in the middle of the night. Their dogs attack livestock and leave devastation.
“Last week my gate and fence were smashed by someone trying to make a getaway. These people are ruthless but when I talk to the Rural Crime Team they tell me they struggle because of a lack of manpower.”
Peter admits The Yorkshire Vet has not gone into great detail about rural crime but says: “We have to strike a balance between reality and entertainment. Sometimes these things are too gory.”
The latest series shows what Peter describes as “the end of an era” following his departure from the county’s most famous practice – Skeldale Veterinary Centre – after almost 40 years.
Former colleague Julian Norton
has also moved on. Peter began his career in 1982 working with Alf Wight and Donald Sinclair at their practice in Thirsk, North Yorks.
Back then there were more than 60 dairy herds in the area – today there is just one. “There just wasn’t enough large animal work, so it made sense to leave,” he explained.
The father-of-two, who lives nearby with wife Lin, has moved to Grace Lanevets in Kirkbymoorside, so he can carry on “doing what he loves”, working with livestock.
“I’m relatively fit and the wife doesn’t want me under her feet, so retirement hasn’t really been an
option,” he said. “If I’m honest I have the life of Riley.”
Peter says he loves watching the Channel 5 reboot of All Creatures.
“Back in the 70s I watched it on a small, crackly black and white TV in my student digs in Liverpool,” he said. “I’ll admit I was dubious when I heard they were bringing it back but I’ve been delighted by it.
“My favourite is Sam West. His portrayal of Siegfried stands out – it’s spot on.” And he added: “I’d jump at the chance of a cameo.”