Farmer Kate Esler says the assaults are ‘irritating and disheartening’
- Author, Kelly Withers
- Role, BBC News
- Reporting from Kingston Seymour, Somerset
-
A farmer is asking on canine walkers to maintain their pets on leads within the countryside after six assaults on her flock.
Kate Esler, who farms in Kingston Seymour, North Somerset, has misplaced 14 sheep since December 2022.
“The accidents are horrific and it’s irritating and heart-breaking for us to see.”
Warning: This story accommodates graphic photos
Ms Esler says the assaults have an effect on the remainder of the flock and may trigger pregnant ewes to miscarry by way of stress.
Some of the injured sheep have been put down
She added: “The flock is at all times flighty after an attack and we have needed to rescue some sheep and lambs from rhynes [drainage ditches] as soon as the canine has gone.”
Kate Esler stated she doesn’t have video proof of the assaults, making it arduous to prosecute canine house owners.
“Lots of people acquired pets throughout lockdown and possibly didn’t do puppy coaching with them, so they don’t seem to be conscious of the risks,” she stated.
Some of Kate Esler’s sheep have run into drainage ditches – often called rhines – to flee dogs
The National Sheep Association (NSA) says livestock worrying consists of attacking or chasing sheep and, in some circumstances, farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they’re endangering their sheep.
It says it is important a canine house owners retains the pet on a lead round livestock, even when they will often belief it to come back to name.
Avon and Somerset Police stated they acquired a number of stories of livestock worrying firstly of January.
Rural affairs officer, Sgt Katie Maun, stated: “Livestock worrying is a felony offence and will lead to a big tremendous.”
The organisations are urging canine house owners to behave responsibly when walking within the countryside.
