Cost Of Dog Attacks On Farm Animals Revealed

The cost of dog attacks on farm animals has been revealed as a campaign continues across Harborough urging owners to keep their pets on leads.

NFU Mutual says livestock worth over £313,000 was killed in the midlands in the past year, making it the worst effected region in the country.

Sheep and lambs were the most targeted.

File pic Photo by Dan Hamill

The insurer has also revealed a survey of over 1000 owners found nearly two thirds let their dogs roam free in the countryside almost four in ten (39%) admit that their pets do not always come back when called.

‘Livestock worrying’ is a criminal offence carrying a fine of up to £1,000 and under the law, a farmer has the right to shoot and kill a dog which is worrying livestock and cannot be controlled.

Harborough District Community Safety Partnership launched a campaign earlier this year urging dog owners to keep their pets on leads around livestock, which is being supported by the National Farmers Union.

Harriet Ranson is county advisor for the NFU: