POLICE in Cumbria are reminding dog owners to keep their pets under control whilst walking near to livestock in order to help prevent livestock worrying.

In the past five years from 2011 to 2015 there have been 459 incidents of dogs worrying sheep reported to Cumbria Police, a number of these incidents resulted in a sheep being killed or injured due to an attack or worrying incident.

Inspector Richard Quinn said: “There is an increasing number of livestock worrying caused by dogs being reported in Cumbria. So far this year we have had 13 cases of livestock worrying reported to Cumbria Police and it is likely that many more attacks are going on unreported.”

In the past five years from 2011 to 2015 there have been 459 incidents of dogs worrying sheep reported to Cumbria Police, a number of these incidents resulted in a sheep being killed or injured due to an attack or worrying incident.

Inspector Quinn explained that local officers have been targeting areas popular to dog walkers where livestock are present and that highly visible posters reminding dog owners of their responsibilities are now displayed in many locations.

Inspector Quinn has advised the public that: “When walking dogs in the countryside, they should always be on a lead when near livestock and I would urge dog owners to be responsible when out with their pets. A dog does not have to physically attack livestock to cause harm, simply chasing them can cause distress and can easily cause a pregnant sheep to miscarry their lambs. Sheep and cattle fleeing from dogs may be killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape, causing damage to fences and field boundaries in the process.”

David Mccrea from Capontree Vets said: “Many dog owners are unaware of the potential impact their pets can have when walking amongst livestock, the owner may simply think when their pet is running in fields that it is exercising their dog, however livestock can see this as a threat. Livestock worrying can lead to unnecessary stress on sheep and cattle, in some causes it can cause death. 

"Worrying amongst cattle is extremely dangerous and in order to protect offspring cattle will protect in any way they can, which can involve charging at dogs and walkers, if you find yourself in danger the best thing to do is let your dog off the lead and retreat to a safe place and the dog will usually do the same.

“Walkers need to stick to designated paths and try to not get too close to livestock, the countryside can be a dangerous place and walkers should remain cautious.”

Inspector Quinn adds: “It is an offence to allow a dog to worry livestock; worrying includes attacking or chasing livestock and in some circumstances, the landowners may have a defence in law to shoot dogs if they are endangering their livestock.”

Figures from Sheep Watch UK, a Facebook based community which shares information on sheep worrying show that nationally in the first three months of 2016 they received reports of 637 sheep killed, 246 recorded injuries and 21 dogs destroyed.