FARMERS and police are working together with Dartmoor’s Livestock Protection Officer to put a stop to dog attacks on sheep and their lambs on the moors writes Lindsay Turpin.

A simple activity like taking your dog for a walk has led to a vast increase in the number of attacks on sheep by dogs on Dartmoor — this year the number of sheep killed already stands at 30.

Dartmoor’s Livestock Protection Officer Karla McKechnie said that there had been two to three incidents reported to her each week which she said was ‘appalling’.

Karla said: ‘The emotional strain was hard for farmers on Dartmoor without the added stress of dog attacks. Dogs are a luxury whilst this is people’s livelihoods.

‘People need to realise that even if their dog chases a sheep these incidents will have a lasting effect on the animal and may even affect whether it can lamb again. I want people to report any incidents of worrying or attacks so we can get help to the animal, even if it’s anonymous.’

Graham Palmer, a farmer from Sheepstor, has said that he has lost many sheep through dog attacks and the impact these attacks have on the local farmers and their stock is upsetting: ‘It’s best not to dwell on the income lost as it can make you upset and quite bitter.

‘We’ve experienced sheep worrying and attacks all the years I can remember — there’s been so many I just can’t remember them all.

‘I want responsible dog owners to just be aware of what can occur when you least expect it or never thought it would happen to you!

‘Please, when you are in the countryside or even if you don’t see any livestock around, keep your dog on a lead.

‘My message is, please play safe and you won’t end up sorry.’

It is an offence to allow dogs to worry sheep, either by attacking them or chasing them, which can cause them to abort their lambs when pregnant.

Farmers are legally allowed to protect their livestock if dogs are seen attacking their sheep, as long as there is a lawful reason.

In February this year, the NPCC (National Police Chiefs Council) issued a ‘livestock worrying police working group’ report to help protect farmers’ livelihood. The report was the collective work of five police forces across England and Wales.

Within the report it stated that victims and police face ‘disturbing scenes of mutilated livestock, some which suffer serious injury that requires the animal to be destroyed or may cause them to miscarry’. It added that the dog ‘could be destroyed/shot if in the act of worrying which in almost all cases will be the loss of a loved family pet’.

Police found that dogs responsible for the attacks were usually alone with no owner present.

The message they have issued was for dog walkers to keep their dogs on a lead.

Karla added: ‘People ask me why there are animals on the moors and add that maybe they should be taken off to stop dog attacks, but what they need to remember is that if animals didn’t graze the moors then there wouldn’t be anywhere to walk or enjoy the idyllic Dartmoor landscape.

The moors are there to enjoy but it is a working landscape and my advice is to keep dogs on a lead around livestock and for the safety of ground nesting birds [from March 1 to July 31].

‘Farmers and landowners play a key role in guardians of the countryside but they must be able to protect their animals and carry out their business of farming.’