An Oxfordshire farmer is the latest victim of sheep worrying as expectant ewes were attacked by dogs running free without a lead.
Andrew Reid, of Bishops Court Farm, Dorchester-on-Thames, reported one ewe had suffered mauling to the face and another had lambed early when two dogs were allowed by their owners to run free beyond designated public footpaths.
Mr Reid, who bought the 303 acres adjacent to public rights of way last autumn, has been left frustrated by Historic England’s delayed response to an application to replace existing fencing which has left the sheep exposed to dog walkers ignoring basic countryside rules and dog management.
Mr Reid, who also owns Belmont Farm in north London, which is actively involved in community outreach and education, bridging the gap between the public and farming, says: “I continue to be shocked by dog owners who allow their dogs to run free in close proximity to ewes in lamb, and in our case well off the designated public footpaths.
“Our sheep have a right to a secure and safe environment, and I would urge all dog owners walking their dogs in the countryside to keep their dogs on a lead around sheep, most especially at this time of year.
“We have been pushing Historic England to agree an application to replace existing old fencing with new fencing for over four months now. This separates the footpaths from the fields where sheep are grazing and lessens the responsibility on people with dogs, but unfortunately the delayed response has cost us. We need to replace the existing fencing with urgency, before there are any other, and potentially worse, attacks.”
Pregnant lambs
Particular care is needed throughout the winter and spring when ewes are likely to be pregnant and with newborn lambs, and the stress from being chased by dogs has a high chance of causing abortion or premature lambs.
Mr Reid, who highly commends the South Oxfordshire police force for their excellent work in this area, says: “The difficulty is once a dog gets the scent it is very hard to stop them, and often the damage can be catastrophic.
“It’s not only the physical attack, and among the estimated 15,000 sheep killed by worrying in 2016, there have been some nasty incidents of mauling, but the raised levels of potassium in the ewes initiated by the stress can cause premature abortion. This has a profound effect on the ewes as well as the farmer.
“While I appreciate that we all have different priorities in the countryside, even those not involved in farming know that this is the time of year sheep lamb, and I believe we need to educate and engage the public about the impact of sheep worrying. We would encourage signage at each point of entry of footpaths, similar to that produced by the NFU and LEAF, explaining about the land, the risks and creating an understanding and cooperation.”
Improvement to the land
When Mr Reid, who has been farming since 1981, bought the property in Dorchester-on-Thames, it was in need of significant restocking and refencing. With his farm manager, Scott Ruck, he has planned extensive investment to improve the land.
“As a landowner and custodian of the farmland, I have a duty of care to reinvigorate and enhance the land and its features. We are currently working with The Woodland Trust to put 3km of hedging and new trees on the farm, and we have signs requesting people respect the countryside code, including keeping their dogs under control.
“Unfortunately, a number of these have been ripped down, and fenceposts cut. Farmers are often seen as the villains for limiting access, but actually I believe enjoyment of the countryside should be an act of mutual respect.”
The owner or those in charge of a dog that is dangerously out of control is committing an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and can be prosecuted, and the dog killed.
Aside from the act of worrying, dogs on the hill enormously increases the risk of neosporosis, which can cause abortion, and sarcocystosis, which can cause neurological disease and death in sheep. Litter is another issue as it poses a danger to livestock if ingested.
