AN 80-year-old man has been ordered to pay compensation after his terriers “ran amok” and killed and injured sheep on three different farms in rural Radnorshire.

Ronald William Robinson, from Pantydwr, near Rhayader, admitted three counts of being the owner of a dog worrying livestock when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court this week.

The incidents took place on February 9 this year at Alltllyd Farm, Hendrerhiw Farm and Cefn-Llech Farm.

Prosecutor Stephen Davies told magistrates on Wednesday, November 9, that the attacks happened at farms belonging to Elwyn Price, Andrew Evans and David Williams at around 4pm.

He said: “Steven Hughes and Norman Williams were dredging and injecting sheep at Elwyn Price’s farm. They were gathering sheep from the fields and then releasing them back.

“When they released the last batch at around 4pm, they heard dogs barking in a field behind farmhouse and they saw one ewe being singled out by black dog, while a second terrier type dog was running over the hill towards Ronald Robinson’s house.

“The black dog was seen grabbing hold and biting the head of one ewe. They shouted at it and grabbed a stick but could see it (the ewe) had suffered wounds to the face and jaw, while one ewe nearby was dead. They entered another field and could see the dog attacking another ewe before running off.”

Mr Davies said Mr Hughes chased one dog across 3 fields on a quad bike and saw it run across the road and onto another farm opposite the defendant’s property.

Another dead ewe was later found and the men visited Robinson’s Cae Cethin smallholding where 4-5 terriers were found in a cage.

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They questioned him about the incidents and went inside a shed housing terriers. Robinson didn’t reply when asked where the black dog was and insisted the attacks were not the fault of his dogs.

“One witness saw a dog with blood on his head and said it was responsible, which is when Ronald Robinson became defensive,” said Mr Davies.

“Mr Hughes told him the dog would have to be destroyed and that a veterinary bill of almost £400 had been amassed after injured sheep taken to the vet had to be put down.

“Mr Price and Mr Evans went to Mr Robinson’s property the next day, requesting payment or insurance for the loss of their sheep. He said the shot dog wasn’t his and said he had put the terrier down.”

Police visited Robinson’s property on February 20 and he was then spoken to in March at the police station, where he agreed to surrender 5 of his dogs to the Dogs Trust.

“Farmer Andrew Evans told police he would like to see Mr Robinson control or surrender his dogs,” said Mr Davies. “He said it was not his wish to do this but that the farm was his livelihood.

“Mr Williams said Mr Robinson’s dogs had killed a number of sheep over the years and escaped regularly, which always resulted in sheep being killed.”

Representing Robinson, Owain Jones said: “Dogs are his life, they keep him company in a rural part of the countryside, but he knows he needs to do better.

“The court will be glad to know the Dogs Trust has come and five dogs were removed. Some dogs were put down with his consent and others were taken away. The overall picture is he now has 3 dogs at the site, they are little puppies, and he is now controlling them, this is a manageable number.

“He lost his wife 3 years ago and she helped a great deal in managing the dogs, so this has been one of the factors at blame here.

“He is not in good health himself, he has a poor memory and is a vulnerable adult.”

Geraint Evans, chair of the bench, told Robinson, who is not a farmer but has lived in the region for 25 years: “We’re a rural court do we’re disappointed when cases involving farmers’ animals come before us.

“You are extremely experienced at handling dogs and have no previous convictions so it’s even more disappointing this occurred, especially as they’re hunting dogs and they ran amok. We are pleased they’ll no longer be a problem to the farming community.”

Robinson was fined £80 for each offence and must pay £85 costs and a £34 surcharge. He was also ordered to pay a veterinary bill of £398.49p which had to be paid to treat and euthanise the sheep.