sheep worrying laws have become tighter

Good

Is an enormous problem.

I too think good!

Good. The same should apply to dogs around non-dog owning people out walking. I was attacked by dogs in these circumstances and was left badly bruised, even though the dogs were wearing muzzles.

Absolutely! I have a labrador who is well trained but ALWAYS without exception put on her lead when we meet people. I never assume that everyone wants to be friends with my dog.

Part of the problem is that some, not all, dog owners are of the opinion that their dog won’t bite and are only being ‘friendly’ and ‘want to play’ with anyone and everyone, including running in a field of sheep who naturally when they catch sight of the unleashed dog will panic and run.

These same ‘out of control’ ‘never put a paw out of place’ dogs are also the ones that jump up at unsuspecting members of the public, knocking them over and causing injury, often serious!

I like dogs, don’t have one by choice but having poor mobility the last thing I want is for someone’s dog to leap at me because ‘it only wants to play’!

NO! I DO NOT want to play with your dog, I don’t want it jumping up at me either!

Some dog owners are just plain ignorant.

Astitchintime I agree with every word. I love dogs, I grew up with them but the selfish habits of so many dog owners have turned me against them.
Why on earth should we put up with these badly behaved substitute children absolutely everywhere, jumping up, all over the floor in restaurants and shops. I've occasionally pleaded with heaven for a rabies epidemic, it's just beyond all reason.

a sensible decision

See the anti-dog brigade is out in force again!

M0nica

Good. The same should apply to dogs around non-dog owning people out walking. I was attacked by dogs in these circumstances and was left badly bruised, even though the dogs were wearing muzzles.

I’m pleassed the law is strengthened to support farmers.

MOnica, I’ve always lived with dogs, at times three, currently I have two. I never thought I’d reach the point of supporting legislation to have all dogs in public areas on lead. It’s not just non dog people who are sick of having badly behaved off lead dogs run into or around them. Many of my dog trainer friends now only exercise their dogs in private enclosed fields. I’m not a dog trainer but worked with trainers to help my dogs have manners and recall.

I am all for the strictest laws possible being enforced for people who allow their dogs to worry sheep but please do not let this become yet another dog haters platform.
Most of the complaints so far are nothing to do with dogs and everything to do with irresponsible owners. Direct the complaints in that direction.

Being a grumpy woman some kids should be trained or kept on on a lead

Love dogs, we’ve had lots over the years, mainly collies, but also a Jack Russell. We’ve also had sheep and cattle over the years. The fault lies with the owner, not the dog. It’s the owners who need the training, the poor dogs don’t know any better.

Stray sheep are my problem!! Unfortunately the adjacent farmer to my property is never bothered when his sheep get into mine - although, by law, they are tagged - when asked to remove them denies they are his!! Unfortunately my dog will chase them, only because she thinks they are another dog to play with. This restricts m

Sorry, finger error
This restricts my own dog being able to exercise in my own fields!! Living in a sheep area does have it's problems - but responsibility is a two-way thing!!

Do the new laws include the destruction of the offending dogs that killed the sheep. And for injuring and any people involved?

And compensation to the farmer for his loss of income and replacement of animals.

Also all courts costs if found guilty, and a massive fine and possible imprisonment?

I'm sorry if this sounds too harsh and not Woke. But there are idiots out there who take to their dogs out to farms purposely to do these killings.

Colls

See the anti-dog brigade is out in force again!

Colls…….I am certainly NOT anti-dog! But I am very much ‘anti irresponsible dog owner’ as are many others on this thread!

Good. Responsible dog owners have nothing to fear.

Colls

See the anti-dog brigade is out in force again!

Anti dogs attacking sheep.
Or people.

Great news but irresponsible dog owners won't comply.

WithNobsOnIt

Do the new laws include the destruction of the offending dogs that killed the sheep. And for injuring and any people involved?

And compensation to the farmer for his loss of income and replacement of animals.

Also all courts costs if found guilty, and a massive fine and possible imprisonment?

I'm sorry if this sounds too harsh and not Woke. But there are idiots out there who take to their dogs out to farms purposely to do these killings.

I'm sure the vast majority of sheep worrying and attacks are accidental.
By suggesting people are taking their dogs to kill sheep for them, you inadvertently make ordinary dog owners believe that it's not dogs like theirs that do this - whereas in most cases it's absolutely ordinary pet dogs (particularly in groups) where the owners are too ignorant to realise the special dangers they pose around sheep.

Farmers work so hard ... to have animals wounded or killed by dogs is dreadful.
It is good that the laws should be strengthened.

Luckygirl3

Farmers work so hard ... to have animals wounded or killed by dogs is dreadful.
It is good that the laws should be strengthened.

I saw a dog out of control worrying sheep once. It was horrific, the owner was lamely screaming, the dog was chasing the sheep up and down, the sheep were scattering in all directions in terror. Some of them tried to jump out of the field, some of them collapsed. I ran at top speed to the farmhouse, when I went back past the field, the farmer had arrived, the dog and owner were nowhere in site and sheep were lying all over the field. I could never forget the scene.
Owners insist, over and over again, that their dogs are under control but it's rarely true, they just don't get it.

The new laws mean that owners of dogs found to be worrying livestock could now face unlimited fines and also give police greater powers to seize the dog.
It's also worth bearing in mind that a dog doesn't have to actively be 'chasing' livestock - especially at this time of year when many ewes are pregnant, just being in the same field could be enough to cause those sheep distress.
I remember being on a friend's farm once and her older brother came back with the bodies of two dogs he'd had to shoot because they were worrying the sheep. Many people just don't realise the implications of not having their dog under control around livestock.