By Alan Quick

AN appeal for witnesses to come forward with information has been issued by Crediton Police after a cow in a field on the outskirts of Crediton was attacked so badly by a dog that it subsequently died in the field as a result of injuries sustained.

A dog was seen attacking the cow by two independent witnesses between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Friday, March 2 in a field between Four Mills Lane and Butt Parks.

PCSO Dave Waring, from Crediton Police, told the “Courier”: “During the attack the cow received several injuries, and subsequently it has since sadly died.

“If you were in the area at the time and witnessed some of, or part of the incident, or indeed  have any information that can assist the police please telephone 101 quoting crime reference CR/018305/18.”

It is understood that signs are to be erected in the fields to request that all dogs are kept on a lead when walking in the area.

ADVICE TO DOG OWNERS

Recently leading rural insurer NFU Mutual launched a campaign urging dog owners to keep their pets under control whenever farm animals could be nearby. 

Between January and April 2017, when pregnant ewes and new born lambs are often grazing on low-lying pasture in areas more accessible to walkers, the average cost of claims to the company more than doubled compared to the rest of the year.

The campaign follows data which shows that livestock worrying costs have increased by 67 per cent in the last two years (2015-2017) with an estimated cost to agriculture of £1.6 million.

The South West was the third worst affected part of the UK by cost, after Scotland and the Midlands, while the average cost of a claim rose by more than 50 per cent to nearly £1,300.

New research by the insurer revealed that more than 80 per cent of dog owners exercise their pets in the countryside, with more than 60 per cent letting them roam off the lead.

Almost seven per cent of owners admitted that their pets had chased livestock in the past.

NFU Mutual is advising farmers in the South West to check their stock regularly, put up warning signs and to ask local people to report any sightings of out-of-control dogs to a local farmer or the police.

Chris Roberts, NFU Mutual South West Regional Manager, said: “Attacks by dogs are one of livestock farmers’ worst nightmares.

“In addition to the suffering to the animals, attacks can have a severe financial impact. Insurance can cover the cost of replacing stock killed and the treatment of injured animals, but there is a knock-on effect on farm profits when pregnant sheep chased by dogs lose lambs.

“While attacks can be caused by dogs ranging from the smallest pampered pets to the largest, fierce-looking animals, we are hearing that large husky breeds are involved in a lot of the recent cases.

“We are also getting reports that many attacks are being caused by dogs which have been let out in owners’ gardens and escaped to worry sheep in neighbouring fields.

“As the insurer of nearly three-quarters of the UK’s farmers and many hobby farmers, we understand the heartbreak and huge financial loss that dog attacks cause.”

Advice for dog owners:

• Always keep dogs on the lead when walking them in rural areas where livestock are kept

• Even small lap dogs can attack farm animals

• Report attacks by dogs and sightings of dogs roaming the countryside to local farmers or the police

• Familiarise puppies with farm livestock from a young age to reduce the risk of them attacking sheep or cattle as adult dogs

• Don’t let dogs loose in gardens adjoining livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and worry sheep grazing nearby.