Police in Milton Keynes have released a statement urging dog owners to keep pets under control.
Police are reminding dog owners to keep their dogs under control after reports of a number of incidents of sheep worrying across the county.
Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, allowing a dog to worry or attack livestock is a criminal offence.
Thames Valley Police explained in a post on social media:
"Sheep represent a farmer’s income and are often worth a substantial sum. If they are attacked or killed, the loss that farmers face can leave them substantially out of pocket.
"Sheep worrying can include dogs attacking animals physically, running after them or chasing the sheep around, especially when they are carrying lambs or there are young lambs within the flock. Dog faeces left on grazing land may also carry disease that can kill sheep and affect unborn lambs.
"Police can seize and detain a dog where an officer has a reasonable cause to believe that the dog has been worrying livestock on agricultural land; and no person is present who admits to being the owner of the dog. It can ultimately lead to a dog being put down.
"Ultimately a landowner by law, and as a last resort for protecting their livestock, is able to shoot a dog which they believe is worrying sheep. However, nobody wants to see this outcome."
Thames Valley Police have released the following advice for dog owners in rural areas:
- Always ensure your dog is under control in an area where there are livestock or wild animals.
- Be particularly vigilant during lambing season and always keep dogs on a lead during this time.
- If your dog is not good with other animals or people, avoid letting them off their lead when others are around.
- Don't allow people who may not be confident in doing so or have full control over the animal to walk your dog.
- Remember where there may be no livestock in a field one day, the same location could be full of animals the next.
- Ultimately a landowner by law, and as a last resort for protecting their livestock, is able to shoot a dog which they believe is worrying sheep. Police must be notified within 48 hours if this course of action is taken.
Anyone who witnesses an incident of sheep worrying livestock or who has information relating to dogs being dangerously out of control is urged to contact police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 immediately.
