- By Alex Wotton
- BBC Isle of Man
The study revealed 82% of those who participated reported a minimum of one attack in 2015
There have actually been a “stunning” variety of dog attacks on sheep on the Isle of Man in the previous year, the Manx National Farmers’ Union (MNFU) has actually said.
A brand-new research study revealed dogs had actually killed 26 sheep and hurt 74 throughout the duration.
MNFU basic secretary Sarah Comish said while she understood it took place, she was “shocked” by the figures.
She included that the real number would likely be be much greater, as just about a 3rd of Manx sheep farmers participated in the study.
The MNFU worked together with the National Sheep Association in the UK to collect information on the attacks, called sheep stressing, particularly about the Isle of Man for the very first time.
Of the 34 keepers of sheep who reacted to the study, 82% said they had actually had at least one sheep stressing occurrence in the previous year.
‘Angry, stressed out, frightened’
Ms Comish said the psychological effect on farmers exceeded the monetary hit to businesses.
Survey participants said they felt “mad, stressed out, frightened, distressed, disappointed and sad” when discovering sheep that had actually been hurt or killed.
Ms Comish said: “It’s quite terrible to come throughout that in your field… they have actually undergone rather a great deal of discomfort, tension and injury themselves.”
The MNFU has actually required a modification in legislation to be closer to Scottish law, where the fines are much greater for dog owners.
Ms Comish said the MNFU wished to see “more powerful prosecution as a deterrent”.
The MNFU’s suggestions is for individuals to “keep dogs on leads, keep away from animals, do not let dogs wander unaccompanied, and keep domestic fencing secure”.
