Keep your dog on a lead during Lambing Season

It's that time of the year when pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are in the fields. It is reported that every year thousands of farm animals are injured or killed by pet dogs. On a recent episode of Countryfile Tom Heap met Terena Plowright, a shepherdess and dog trainer who has created Sheepwatch UK to help cut the number of newborn lambs attacks. She is looking for farmers to report all cases of sheep attacks so we know the true scale of the problem.

Tips for dog owners:

• Be on the look out near fields for signs warning of livestock .
• Keep your dog on a lead at all times near farm animals and in areas you think animals may be grazing.
• If your dog does misbehave near sheep please report it to the farmer. Even if there is no injury as the stress to the sheep may cause them to die or pregnant ewes to miscarry.

Tips for farmers:

• Place signs letting dog owners know where farm animals are grazing.
• Make sure fencing is in good condition this in turn will help ensure the sheep don’t wander away from their designated areas.
• Report an incident, however minor, to the police. Lack of reporting makes it difficult to raise awareness and to know the true scale of the problem.

Our company policy at Home from Home is to have dogs on leads at all times throughout the year for the dog and other animals welfare.

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