West Sussex Farmer Left With Orphaned Lambs Supports Responsible Dog Walking

A West Sussex farmer is supporting the National Farmer's Union (NFU) in a push for responsible dog walking after having to put down one of his sheep.

According to the NFU, Hugh Passmore, from Applesham Farm, Coombes Road, Lancing, had a veet put down an ewe on April 4.

It had reportedly been attacked by two dogs, leaving Hugh with three orphan lambs.

Isobel Bretherton from the NFU said:

"We know everyone wants to enjoy the countryside safely with their dogs, so we're advising people to keep their pets on a short lead around farm animals, particularly sheep.

"Because unfortunately we've seen a number of attacks by dogs on sheep flocks across the South Downs.

The impact on farmers is horrendous. It's not just an animal welfare issue if your sheep get injured or even killed by out of control dogs, but sometimes farmers like Hugh are left with orphaned lambs that they're having to rear by hand because the mother ewe has been killed by dogs.

"It's just heart-wrenching." 

Police were contacted and have identified the dog owner.

The investigation is ongoing, but the force is reminding dog owners to keep dogs on a lead while in rural areas near livestock

It added that owners can legally shoot a dog that's chasing livestock and seek compensation from the person responsible from the animal.

Isobel added:

"The other thing is that if you let your pet run freely on farm land where there may be grazing animals, if your dog runs a mock in a flock of sheep, the law allows farmers to shoot dogs that are chasing or attacking cattle and sheep, and indeed poultry and horses.

"Every dog has a chase instinct that's triggered by the movement of farm animals. Even your pet can turn wolf with devastating results."

The government is looking at changing the law to increase the amount dog owners can be fined if their pets are caught bothering sheep, it's currently a maximum of £1,000.

The NFU's campaign is also supported by dog maestro and trainer Graeme Hall, who features in the video below. 

The NFU is encouraging people to follow the countryside code.

Isobel added:

"Keep your dog on a lead, leave gates as you find them and follow paths.

"People are loving the countryside at the moment and they're wandering off paths, sometimes over food crops, so please follow paths and signs.

"If you're seeing signs and stiles and finger posts and so on then you know you're on a public right of way.

"It's not a good idea to go wandering off piste because you could be walking on crops that are being grown for human consumption and for animals to eat."