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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 29th March 2023
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Action needed to halt sheep worrying, say farmers
Seventy per cent of sheep farmers experienced sheep worrying in the past year.
Attacks by dogs becoming the norm, survey finds.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is calling for urgent action to be taken to tackle sheep worrying in the UK, after its annual survey revealed just how common attacks have become.

Seventy per cent of sheep farmers have experienced at least one incident of a dog chasing their sheep in the past year, according to the survey. This is despite many farmers taking preventative measures including putting up signs and moving sheep to areas with less public access.

On average, farmers reported three sheep deaths caused by sheep worrying incidents in 2022, a figure which does not include the stress-induced miscarriages experienced by ewes who had been chased.

The survey also revealed support among farmers for action from the Government, with 82 per cent of respondents strongly agreeing that additional powers are necessary to act as a deterrent to dog owners.

The Government has promised to bring in stricter measures against livestock worrying in the Kept Animals Bill. However, it has now been more than 500 days since any parliamentary progress was made on passing the legislation.

If it becomes law, the act will allow the police to seize dogs after serious incidents and take samples from both the dog and the livestock to support prosecution. For the NSA, these new powers do not go far enough.

Commenting after the release of the latest sheep worrying statistics, NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “The Kept Animals Bill is well behind schedule which is frustrating on one hand but I still don’t believe it is fit for purpose, still not requiring dogs to be on leads when in fields with sheep and suggesting maximum fines for those found guilty being limited to £1000 in England. This compares to a recent change of legislation in Scotland that has seen the same crime punishable with up to a £40,000 fine or prison sentence. This disparity must be addressed.

“A lack of punishment and continued varied responses from Police Rural Crime teams is frustrating farmers who are experiencing great upset as well as financial loss because of this issue.”

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

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News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."