LOCAL farmers, Jim Stephens and his son Jonathan, have issued a plea to Crediton dog owners to be responsible and keep their dogs on leads when walking on footpaths through fields near the town.

This week Jonathan received a telephone call to say that a dog was attacking two of his seven-week-old lambs in a field on land at Combe Lancey, near George Hill, Crediton.

He immediately rushed to the field and found that a dog, observed by a local resident, had attacked the two lambs, resulting in one sustaining severe bites to the neck and the other with a broken leg.

Jonathan explained: “The person with the dog was actually trespassing in a fenced off field.

“A witness called me and I found the lambs severely injured and the ewe had been chased as well, running for her life, and was in a distressed state.

“The dog owner was seen running from the scene afterwards with the dog.

“Why dog owners do not keep their dogs on leads when near livestock is beyond me.”

Jim Stephens said that all three of the sheep were suffering from shock.

He said: “A dog off a lead can do a lot of damage in half-an-hour.

“Dog owners, particularly at this time of year when there are ewes and lambs in fields, and cows calving, MUST keep dogs on leads.

“If in doubt, put your dog on a lead.

“This is the worst incident we have had.”

Crediton Police are investigating the incident and would like to hear from anyone who knows who the dog owner may be.

If you can help the police, contact the police on 101 and the crime reference for the incident is 024977/16.

KEEPING YOUR DOG UNDER CONTROL

There are regular reports of dogs not being kept under control in the Crediton area and worrying horses, cattle and sheep.

Dog walkers are reminded that dogs must be kept on leads or under control.

It lead the NFU to launch a campaign to cut the number of dog attacks on livestock after cases of sheep and cattle worrying reached record levels.

It said that about £1 million-worth of damage was caused on farms each year, the number of recorded incidents being more than 700 attacks by dogs on livestock.

The number of people being killed or injured after being trampled by cows has also shown an increase in recent years.

The rising number of incidents led the farming union to launch its “Love your Countryside” campaign to explain how to enjoy the countryside responsibly.

Setting out simple guidelines for the 3.6 billion people who visit the British countryside each year, the campaign offered tips to keep people and livestock safe.

Advice includes avoiding getting between cows and their calves and keeping any dogs close and under control around sheep and cattle.

Dog walkers should also let go of their dogs if they felt threatened by cattle.

Surrey farmer and NFU South East livestock board member Hugh Broom, who lost 60 sheep over three months, said livestock worrying was entirely preventable.

“Many owners do act responsibly and control their dogs, but when they don’t the consequences can be awful,” he said.

“Attacks on our animals cause untold suffering and horrendous injuries, which often results in them having to be put down.

“We must work to help people understand the damage that can be done as sadly, with more and more attacks happening, the message doesn’t seem to be hitting home with some dog owners.”

NFU member Charles Sercombe, said it was important people walking in the countryside were mindful of their surroundings and took care.

“The countryside is a beautiful place to walk in. However it is maintained this way because it is a working environment where animals graze,” he said.

“Farmers also have a responsibility as to the safety of the animals in the fields and they take that responsibility seriously.

“But we would urge anyone using the countryside to be sympathetic to farm animals rearing their young and give them space.”

The National Sheep Association set up a service to record incidents of sheep worrying by dogs in an effort to highlight areas of incidence encourage responsible behaviour by dog owners.

The database recorded more than 100 calls in its first three weeks.

A farmer or landowner has the right to shoot a dog or dogs worrying their livestock.

Walkers are reminded to walk only on designated pathways or rights of way and not, as has also been reported locally, off pathways and across farmland without permission.

If your dog worries livestock you are guilty of an offence punishable by a fine of up to £1,000. Worrying livestock does not just mean attacking or killing cattle or sheep but affecting them in any way which may cause injury or suffering to another animal.

If your dog chases livestock in such a way which could reasonably be expected to cause any form of suffering to the animals or a financial loss to their owner, it will be considered to have worried the livestock.

If your dog has attacked a person or worried livestock, a court may order that your dog be destroyed.

A farmer is within his or her right to shoot a dog which is worrying livestock.

Alan Quick