- By Olivia Richwald
- Journalist, BBC Look North
Image source, Olivia Richwald/BBC
Rebecca Wilson advised dog owners to keep their animals secure
Farmers and authorities are prompting dog owners to keep their animals on a lead after a wave of sheep stressing cases.
North Yorkshire Police said 39 sheep in the county had actually passed away up until now this year after being assaulted or terrified by dogs.
Officers said in some scenarios a farmer might shoot a dog if it was triggering distress to animals and might not be managed.
They included that sheep fretting might lead to an optimum fine of £1,000 for dog owners.
Rebbeca Wilson, who farms near Boroughbridge, said every farmer would have been impacted by dog attacks on animals, or would understand somebody who had actually been.
“I believe if you take a look at the monetary effect it pertained to almost £2m in 2015, so that’s informing in itself,” she said.
Image source, Olivia Richwald/BBC
Sgt David Lund and PCSO Sarah Harrod alerted dog owners might deal with an optimum fine of £1,000.
Sgt David Lund, from the North Yorkshire Police’s rural task force, said the concern was a significant one and dog owners required to be knowledgeable about the possible effects.
“Some of the powers that farmers have if that dog is still fretting the animals, if it’s chasing it around triggering it distress, then the farmer can really shoot the dog.
“This is really stressful for both the owner and the farmer.”
He said given that Covid there had actually been a substantial increase in the variety of dog owners checking out the countryside and numerous required informing.
“It has to do with ensuring they understand what the legislation is and the message I actually wish to go out is ‘put the dog on a lead’, it is that basic.”
