Police appeal to dog owners following numerous sheep attacks in Cotswolds

Farmers have warned that it is often instinctive for an otherwise well-behaved dog to chase sheep whilst out on a walk, and even if not physically attacked, a chase can cause a sheep serious damage.

In most cases, the sheep will endure a very slow and painful death if attacked or chased, while pregnant ewes can also miscarry their lambs due to the stress of such incidents.

PC Ash Weller, of Cotswold Police, said: “I have seen far too many incidents this year in the Cotswolds where people have let their dogs chase sheep.

“The message is just not getting across. It appears some dog owners see their dog chasing sheep as just a bit of harmless fun.

“It couldn’t be further from reality. The sheep see the dog as a predator.

“Sheep fleeing from dogs are often killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape.

“I will look at every case individually, and work with the farmers to reduce this problem."

PC Weller went on to say that it is an offence to allow a dog to ‘worry’ sheep, which includes ‘attacking or chasing’.

He said: “Dog owners need to realise that they could face prosecution, hefty vet bills from the farmer, or even having their dog being destroyed.

“The last thing I would ever wish for is having someone’s dog destroyed, but sometimes that is the only option.”

In some circumstances, he said farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they are endangering their sheep.

“If you live in or near a farming area, you must make sure that your dog cannot escape from your property, as it may find its way onto land containing sheep,” he added.

Mr Platt, a Cotswold sheep farmer who has seen three of his sheep killed this year due to dog attacks, said: “Dog owners who suspect their dogs will not harm the sheep are often the worst culprits, they will let their dogs off the lead and allow them to chase the sheep.

“I have had three sheep killed already this year due to dog attacks.”