Careless dog owners made to face farmers over dog worrying
Dog owners whose pets worry sheep in Shropshire are being made to talk to farmers about the impact of their actions.
There have been 60 cases of sheep-worrying across the Shropshire council area in the past three years.
In Telford & Wrekin there have been five instances of dogs worrying livestock, reported to West Mercia Police from the Ironbridge Gorge, Lawley and Waters Upton areas.
In four of these total cases, offenders were offered restorative justice, which gives gives victims the chance to meet or talk with offenders to explain the impact of the crime.
Other offenders were offered community resolutions, an out-of-court method used for dealing with anti-social behaviour or low-level crime which can include paying financial compensation or for more serious offences a suspended prosecution, where offenders will face court if they fail to comply with the conditions set.
But in 16 cases, no persons were brought to justice, due to evidential difficulties or because a suspect could not be identified.
At the start of July, Telford photographer John Breuilly was taking pictures of the scenery around Llyn Ogwen Lake, near Bangor, when he captured a vicious case of sheep-worrying, where dogs dragged a sheep into the lake.
Emily Dixon, from West Mercia Police, said: "Dog owners are to be reminded that their pets should be kept on leads at all times when being walked through rural areas where sheep and livestock are present.
"It is very distressing and financially damaging to farmers when sheep are attacked and can lead to large veterinary bills leaving farmers facing loss of income.
"Owners should be aware that farmers are within their rights to shoot and destroy dogs if they are deemed to be causing distress and harm to sheep and other livestock, also this can lead to the dog owner or person in charge of the animal being sued for damages to compensate that loss. Anyone who witnesses sheep being chased or attacked should report it immediately by calling 101."
Worrying includes attacking or chasing livestock in a way that might reasonably be expected to cause injury, suffering or loss. It is also an offence to have a dog in a field or enclosed space where there are sheep when the dog is not on a lead or under control.
