Thomas Lyons Two cows had to be put down on a dairy farm in Pewsey, Wiltshire, UK, after a loose dog broke into their shed and spooked the herd. Chrissie and Mat Crossman, who run the farm, had been forced to keep their cows indoors due to wet weather conditions. On Tuesday afternoon, the couple said that a large black dog that was off the lead entered their farmyard and ran through the shed, scaring the cows.
The presence of the dog caused the 100 cows to panic and run from one end of the shed to the other. During the chaos, two cows fell; one suffered a dislocated hip, while the other had a broken leg. The three-and-a-half year old cows, both over 150 days in-calf, had to be euthanised. The farmers said, “In effect that’s four animals gone just like that because of yet another irresponsible dog owner not having control of their dog.”
The couple explained that they run a small family farm and this incident has had a huge emotional impact on them. They said, “We’ve worked tirelessly to get where we are and finally have our own herd of cows and for this to happen to our girls, like it does all over the country with other livestock, on a daily basis is frustrating, to put it politely. Literally every day we see pictures of dead livestock because of thoughtless dog owners.”
The couple have reported the incident to the police. As yet, the dog involved has not been found, nor has the owner come forward. The dairy farmers said that even the most well-behaved, gentle domestic dog needs to be kept on a lead around livestock. They added, “This includes footpaths near farms, as you never know where livestock may be grazing or being moved from one area to the other.”
The couple appealed to anyone who sees someone walking a dog near a farm or livestock to remind them to keep their pets on leads. They said, “Sadly, livestock worrying is far too common and is happening more and more often. Something really does need to be done to educate people and make them aware of the horrifying consequences.”
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of livestock worrying by dogs. Farmers have been calling for greater education for dog owners to prevent such incidents from occurring. The National Sheep Association (NSA) has been campaigning for a change in the law to make livestock worrying a criminal offence across the UK. Currently, only Scotland has specific legislation in place to protect livestock from dogs.
The NSA advises dog owners to always keep their pets on a lead around livestock, even if the animals appear to be in a field that is not being used. It also suggests that owners should avoid walking their dogs in fields with livestock during the lambing season, which runs from January to April.
The emotional and financial impact of livestock worrying can be devastating for farmers. Not only can it result in the loss of valuable animals, but it can also cause stress and anxiety for the farmers involved. The cost of veterinary bills and the loss of income from the sale of livestock can be significant.
It is essential that dog owners take responsibility for their pets and ensure they are kept under control around livestock. Failure to do so can have devastating consequences for both the animals and the farmers involved.
