70% of farmers experienced sheep worrying last year

A survey carried out by the National Sheep Association (NSA) has found that 70% of farmers have experienced a sheep worrying attack in the past 12 months. 95% of the 300 sheep farmers surveyed said they experienced up to 10 cases of sheep worrying every year. On average, the NSA said, three sheep deaths were reported each year due to a dog attack and this does not take into account production losses in sheep, including miscarriage, that were reported by almost 70% of respondents. NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said UK farmers are making huge gains improving animal health but that one of the most concerning threats to sheep welfare – worrying by dogs – continues to be “swept under the carpet”. “It seems to be an area where resolution is too difficult a challenge to tackle and so, attacks continue with little consequence to those at fault.” Stocker said there is a real concern amongst sheep farmers that the situation is spiralling out of control and becoming the norm. “As reported ...