Farmer pleas to public after experiencing three sheep attacks

A farmer has called on the public to put their dogs on a lead at all times near livestock after experiencing three attacks in just two weeks.

Richard Hargreaves, who farms with his family in Barley, Lancashire, made a social media post calling on people to keep dogs on a lead.

It follows the third dog attack on his livestock in the space of a fortnight.

On a public Facebook post, Mr Hargreaves said: "The government need to put a stop to the grey area around keeping dogs under control around livestock.

"To me it's simple if there is livestock in a field or on a moor then the dog should be on a lead. Then everyone knows where they stand," he said.

Mr Hargreaves son, Bob, said the young sheep's head was "torn to bits", leaving it unable to eat.

He said: "Will this post make people realise? Keep your dog on a lead!"

"Not only was it a disgrace this happening, the spineless person never bothered telling anyone and left the poor ewe to suffer."

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 says that if a dog worries sheep on agricultural land, the owner and/or the person in charge of the dogs is guilty of a criminal offence.

Farmers have been urged to insure their sheep against the potential financial losses incurred by sheep worrying after the latest spate of distressing attacks reported across the country.