Owners urged to keep dogs on leads in countryside
Dog walkers across the North East are being urged to play their part in helping to cut down the number of attacks on other animals in the countryside.
The call for owners to never let their canines off leads in inappropriate areas comes as new data released by rural insurer NFU Mutual estimates the cost of dog attacks on farm animals in the region rose by 113.5% to more than £240,000 last year.
In addition, a survey of dog owners commissioned by NFU Mutual that took place last month included the statistic that 64% of them are letting their pets roam free in the countryside – despite half of owners surveyed admitting their dog does not always come back when it is called.
The research also revealed that 42% of dog owners have been walking their pets more often in the countryside during the pandemic and 81% of survey respondents noticed more people exercising their pets in rural areas.
Rebecca Davidson, rural affairs specialist at NFU
Mutual, said: “With millions more people walking in the countryside as Covid restrictions continue and an increase in dog ownership, we have seen many more horrific attacks resulting in large numbers of sheep being killed and a trail of horrific injuries.
“These attacks cause unbearable suffering to farm animals, as well as huge anxiety for farmers and their families as they deal with the aftermath.
“We want people to enjoy the countryside as it’s so important for people’s wellbeing.
"However, it’s vital that dog owners act responsibly and keep dogs on a lead at all times whenever there is a possibility livestock are nearby.”