By Mal Butler
Three sheep in the fields around Carisbrooke Castle have been put down after the flock suffered its fifth dog attack in a year.
The incident happened between last Thursday and Friday (October 29/30) with the three sheep being injured and later euthanised.
A police spokesman confirmed: “The flock in this field has been subjected to a number of attacks over the last 12 months, including incidents on November 2, last year, and January 30, August 3 and August 9 this year.
“We are making enquiries and ask anyone with information to contact police on 101, quoting 44260531710. “We once again urge dog owners to please be responsible around livestock, and to make yourselves aware of the law surrounding livestock worrying.
Livestock worrying is when a dog attacks or chases livestock on agricultural land or is at large in a field with livestock, which can result in significant injury or suffering and in the worst cases, death of the animals involved. This also has devastating consequences for livestock keepers, causing personal distress as well as significant financial costs. If you see a livestock worrying incident in progress, please dial 999.
“Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, it is a criminal offence for a dog to actively worry livestock and dog owners risk prosecution. We recognise that the majority of dog owners walk their dogs in a responsible manner, but unfortunately there are a small minority whose recklessness puts the welfare of other animals at risk.”
Key points to bear in mind to help with the welfare of livestock and your dog include: It is important to keep dogs either on leads or under close control around livestock; if you are walking your dog in a field and there is no livestock, keep the dog in sight at all times, be aware of what it is doing, and be confident it will return to you promptly on command; ensure the dog does not stray off the path or area where you have right of access; it is a criminal offence for a dog to actively worry livestock. We want owners to be aware that in such instances, the owner or person in control of the dog can be prosecuted, and as a last resort the dog can be shot by the farmer to end an attack.
Isle of Wight Observer