Kent: Sheep worrying warning for dog owners

Dog owners in Kent are being urged to keep control of their pets in the countryside following a rise in attacks on sheep.

Kent farmers are reporting a significant increase in incidents, according to the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

Famer John Dinnis, from Sevenoaks, has lost more than 20 sheep to dog attacks over the years.

He said it was "really awful" to see animals suffer.

The NFU, Kent Police and Kent Trading Standards are working together to encourage pet owners to obey the Countryside Code and ensure their dogs are kept under control as lambing season gets under way.

Sergeant Darren Walshaw, from Kent Police's Rural Task Force, urged dog owners to keep their pets on leads around livestock.

He said: "As well as the suffering caused to sheep, attacks can lead to huge financial losses for famers.

"Officers carry DNA testing kits to swab animals that have been attacked, allowing them to identify the dog responsible."

Nationally, the cost of dog attacks on farm animals cost more than £1.8m in 2022, according to the NFU Mutual insurance company.

NFU livestock board chairman Richard Finlay said seeing their animals suffering was causing farmers "stress and anguish".

Fourth-generation farmer Mr Dinnis, who runs a mixed farm, said the situation has been "getting worse" since the Covid lockdown.

He said: "I think the people who bought dogs [during lockdown] perhaps weren't experienced with them.

"It is upsetting for the pet owners who just didn't expect their dog was capable of such things."

Livestock worrying includes barking, chasing, biting, and killing.

It is a criminal offence and dog owners could be liable for a prosecution or fine.

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