Action is still needed to ensure responsible dog walking in the countryside following a campaign by the National Sheep Association on sheep worrying.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) is stressing the importance of continued vigilance from members of the dog-owning public following its recent campaign to highlight the trouble caused by sheep worrying.
As the days begin to get longer, NSA took to social media platforms to spread and increase awareness of the devastating problem.
The association has shared personal case studies, statistics and hard-hitting graphics and photographs with the wide-reaching audiences of Twitter and Facebook.
Social media is a proving to be an increasingly powerful tool used by many farmers to document terrible attacks on their animals.
NSA said it is confident its use is a vital one to spread the simple message of responsible dog ownership and subsequent improved sheep welfare to the masses.
Targeted campaign
Each year NSA leads a targeted campaign against sheep worrying attacks by dogs. This year the campaign launch coincided with the official start of British Summertime and school Easter holidays.
This is a time when more dog walkers head outside to enjoy the countryside, often at the costly and upsetting expense of sheep health and welfare.
Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive comments: “Sheep worrying by dogs is a very serious problem year-round but can be even more devastating at this time of year with fields full of heavily pregnant ewes or ewes with young lambs at foot.
“An attack on sheep can cause ewes to miscarry, lambs to become separated from their mothers, and of course injury and even death to any sheep involved.
“NSA does not want to discourage dog owners from enjoying the beautiful landscapes in Britain, only to do so responsibly and consider the impact an attack can have on farmers’ businesses and livelihood.
Mr Stocker added: “One campaign will not remove this problem overnight, but it can go some way to increase awareness and perhaps reduce incidences of attacks long term.”
