Fear of sheep-worrying rise
Last year there was a sharp increase in problems with dogs, and the plea comes from insurer Cornish Mutual following an avalanche of claims in 2008.
Cornish Mutual says it was its worst year on record for the number of claims made in relation to dog attacks on sheep and is now warning dog owners and walkers to be on their guard – especially during the current lambing season.
According to the insurance firm, it saw an average claim of around £500 per incident across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset and 14 claims were made during last year alone.
Farm and landowners are legally allowed to shoot any dogs that threaten livestock and under the law dog owners can be sued for compensation.
Chris Ridgers, business development manager for Cornish Mutual, said: "I believe these figures are just the tip of the iceberg, because many cases of sheep-worrying go unreported and no claim is even made.
"It's all too common an occurrence and it's so easily preventable. People just need to think carefully when they are walking in the countryside, be responsible and keep their dogs on leads when they are near livestock.
He added: "Farmers' livelihoods depend on their livestock and sheep- worrying can be really very serious for the animal, even if they're not physically harmed. Scaring them or chasing them can also have dire consequences for the livestock.
"This time of the year is most concerning for our members, with many of their ewes pregnant and vulnerable. Because of the stress of an incident, the animal may abort her foetus or be chased away from the flock into a nearby road or river."
The plea from Cornish Mutual comes after two rottweilers savaged and killed 15 sheep near Denbigh in North Wales.
Jack Palk, who owns a farm near Paignton, has had to make four sheep-worrying claims over the last two years. During one incident he was called in the early hours of the morning to be told his sheep were on a road with two dogs chasing them. Three animals died and five others had to be treated by a vet.
He said: "In the last two years, I can think of at least four attacks on our sheep. We find this of great concern, especially as it affects our livelihood. We hope that in future people will keep greater control over their dogs."
It is estimated that thousands of livestock and cattle are killed or seriously injured each year across the South West, and the region's farming industry fears another sharp increase in incidents during 2009, with the introduction of the legislation improving public access to the countryside.
