Dogs.co.uk Home Dogs.co.uk Home
 
 
Dog Owners Warned to be Vigilent in Lambing Season

Thu, 19 Feb 2009

Insurance company Cornish Mutual have revealed that 2008 was its worst year yet for the number of claims made in relation to dog attacks on sheep. With the current lambing season underway, the insurer is warning dog owners and walkers to be particularly vigilant in the coming months. The insurance company revealed that it saw an average claim of roughly £500 per incident across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset and fourteen claims were made during last year alone. Farm and landowners are legally allowed to shoot any dogs that threaten livestock and pet owners can be sued for compensation under the Dogs (Prevention of Livestock) Act of 1953.

Chris Ridgers, business development manager for Cornish Mutual said, ‘I believe these figures are just the tip of the iceberg because many cases of sheep worrying go unreported and no claim is even made. It’s all too common an occurrence and it’s so easily preventable. People just need to think carefully when they are walking in the countryside, be responsible and keep their dogs on leads when they are near livestock. Farmers’ livelihoods depend on their livestock and sheep worrying can be really very serious for the animal, even if they’re not physically harmed. Scaring them or chasing them can also have dire consequences for the livestock.’
add to favouritesnewsletterlink to this pagesend to friendpost comments

Link to this page

Copy and Paste the following HTML into your page.