Since the introduction of the Rural Crime Team in Cumbria on September 19, 2023, Cumbria Constabulary has acquired 9 studies of dogs worrying livestock the place the canine proprietor was current.
Within these 9 studies, there have been 5 incidents ensuing within the damage of the animal and 4 leading to a livestock demise. In the identical interval, seven livestock thefts have taken place throughout the county.
DPFCC Mike Johnson stated: “Livestock is an unbelievable asset to farmers throughout Cumbria and the lack of animals can have an incredible impact on their livelihoods.
“Farmers put a whole lot of care into making certain that their livestock are wholesome to maintain their business viable and having these animals stolen from them or carelessly killed as a consequence of a inconsiderate canine proprietor actually can impression them financially and psychologically.
“Cumbria is a primarily rural county which is why we launched a devoted Rural Crime Team to assist sort out rural crime which incorporates livestock theft and worrying.
“The specialist, extremely educated group of officers will assist officers throughout the pressure responding to rural crimes.”
Dog house owners who’re discovered by police permitting their canine to be off lead and worrying animals can face a high quality of as much as £1000 and farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs which might be endangering their livestock.
Sergeant Amanda McKirdy, Cumbria Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team, stated: “Our Rural Crime Team works intently with the NFU and our farming communities, so we all know solely too nicely the impression which livestock worrying and theft can have on the farming trade in Cumbria.
“We don’t tolerate criminals concentrating on livestock and we’ll do every thing we will to establish offenders and maintain individuals accountable for his or her actions.”
NFU County Adviser, James Airey added: “Highly organised gangs of criminals have continued to plague the British countryside, stealing costly GPS tools, livestock, high-value farm equipment, in addition to trespassing on personal land.
“It is nice information that we’ve got a devoted Rural Crime group now in Cumbria to assist fight these points that disrupt essential farm work, it locations extra pressures financially and emotionally on farmers and their households.”
