NFU Mutual urges walkers in Scotland to keep dogs under control to prevent attacks on farm animals over Easter
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NFU Mutual and NFU Scotland are urging dog walkers to keep their pets under control while exercising on farmland following a series of attacks on sheep in recent days.
Following reports from farmers across the UK, leading rural insurer NFU Mutual is concerned that walkers taking dogs unfamiliar with farm animals into the countryside may not be aware that their pets could follow their instincts to hunt and attack sheep and lambs.
Recent attacks have included sheep killed and others injured across the UK, at a time when ewes and their new-born lambs are particularly vulnerable.
Rebecca Davidson, NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist, said: “These horrific attacks have left a trail of dead and seriously-injured sheep and new-born lambs so we are urging dog walkers to keep their pets on the lead at all times when exercising them in countryside where livestock are reared. Walking dogs on a lead also ensures people can safely keep two metres away from others.
“Livestock worrying causes appalling suffering to sheep and lambs – and during the coronavirus crisis the threat of attacks it is adding to farmers’ and crofters’ anxiety when they are already under immense pressure. Even if a dog doesn’t make contact, the distress and exhaustion of the chase can cause a sheep to die. Many walkers are also failing to clear up after their dog, which can spread disease to livestock.
“Some farming areas are experiencing increased numbers of walkers with dogs, with farmers having to spend additional time patrolling flocks to try and prevent attacks which is hindering them from getting on with the vital task of producing food for the nation.
“There are real concerns that high numbers of people using farmland footpaths for exercise are putting older farmers in particular at risk. Together with the farmers’ unions, we are urging people to maintain social distancing of two metres apart and not put others, including farmers, their families and other rural dwellers at risk.”
Gemma Cooper, NFU Scotland's head of policy team, said: “Those who are accessing the countryside with dogs need to be aware that there is still livestock in the fields and that their dog can and will attack sheep and cows. Avoid fields with livestock where possible and keep your dog under control and remember to pick up after them.
“Dog attacks can lead to serious injury and death to livestock and even being chased by a dog can lead to sheep aborting their lambs. As a farmer or crofter this is a horrendous situation to find and is completely avoidable if dog owners and walkers act responsibly.”
