AS part of ongoing work to highlight the serious and devastating issue of sheep worrying by dogs, a survey has been released to gauge the continued severity and impact on the UK sheep industry.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has launched its annual survey on the topic to gain an up to date insight on incidents.

Sheep worrying incidents by dogs cause significant welfare concerns for sheep and serious upset to farmers whose flocks are affected.

To continue to raise awareness of these incidents and find ways of improving education, guidance and cooperation the NSA is inviting all UK sheep farmers, whether they have experienced issues with sheep worrying or not, to contribute to the survey – it is open from now until March 25. The survey can be completed on the NSA website by visiting www.sheepworrying.org.uk.

“The NSA receives calls from distressed sheep farmers who have experienced attacks on their flocks on a very regular basis,” said NSA policy and technical officer, Sean Riches.

“As a nation of animal lovers, it is difficult to comprehend how these devastating attacks are allowed to continue. This is a serious welfare issue, where sheep are regularly subjected to threats by dogs who chase and cause physical harm.”

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Incidents in Powys have been on the rise in recent years. In January this year, Dyfed Powys Police investigated after a dog attack left a number of in-lamb ewes dead in the Llangunllo area, near Knighton. Nine in-lamb ewes were attacked, resulting in seven being killed.

In October 2020 police branded as “unacceptable” the deaths of five lambs killed over a two-week period – at the same farm. The incidents took place at a farm in Llanelwedd, just outside Builth Wells.

In June of that year, rural police teams in Powys had issued a warning over livestock worrying after receiving 80 reports of incidents so far in 2020.

Dyfed Powys Police officers joined forces with rural unions NFU Cymru and FUW to remind dog owners just how important it is to keep their pets on a lead.

A year later, in October 2021, police in the Talgarth area were called to an incident where a ewe had been found with “severe” injuries.

In March last year, Plaid Cymru MS Helen Mary Jones said Wales needs more powers to stop dogs attacking sheep.

Statistics released in February 2021 estimated that the cost of dog attacks on livestock in Wales was nearly £165,000 in 2020 – down a third on 2019’s total.

Despite a welcome fall in the figures in Wales where police efforts and co-ordinated campaigns have helped change attitudes among dog owners, the UK had seen a rise in cost of over 10 per cent. According to estimates based on claims reported to leading rural insurer NFU Mutual insurer, farm animals worth £1.3m were savaged by dogs in the UK during 2020.

The 2022 survey is launched at an especially significant time for UK sheep flocks with lambing season approaching or already under way. Many ewes are in the final stages of pregnancy or have young vulnerable lambs at foot meaning the risk of miscarriage or mismothering due to stress from a sheep worrying attack is increased.

Recent changes in legislation have been proposed to try and tackle the issue but the NSA believes these do not go far enough, failing to contain sufficient deterrents to prevent attacks happening. And while in Scotland the legislation has been strengthened, the NSA feels there is an increased need for dog owner education to reinforce the unpredictable behaviour of even a well-trained dog.

For more information on the issue of sheep worrying by dogs and NSA’s work on this issue please visit www.sheepworrying.org.uk.