NEW statistics released today (February 2) estimate the cost of dog attacks on livestock in Wales was nearly £165,000 last year – down a third on 2019’s total.

Despite a welcome fall in the figures in Wales where police efforts and co-ordinated campaigns have helped change attitudes among dog owners, the UK saw a rise in cost of over 10 per cent. According to estimates based on claims reported to leading rural insurer NFU Mutual insurer, farm animals worth £1.3m were savaged by dogs in the UK last year.

A recent survey of dog owners commissioned by NFU Mutual reveals that 64 per cent of dog owners are letting their pets roam free in the countryside, despite half of owners surveyed admitting their dog doesn’t always come back when called.

The research revealed that 42 per cent of dog owners have been walking their pets more often in the countryside during the coronavirus pandemic, and that 81 per cent of survey respondents have noticed more people exercising their pets in rural areas.

Rebecca Davidson, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “We are encouraged by the decrease in Wales last year and it is a testament to the proactive work which has been led by police and farming groups but these horrific incidents continue to cause unbearable suffering to farm animals as well as huge anxiety for farmers and their families as they deal with the aftermath.

“With more people walking in the countryside as Covid restrictions continue and an increase in dog ownership, we have seen many more horrific attacks resulting in large numbers of sheep being killed and a trail of horrific injuries.

“It’s a critical time in the farming calendar and there is widespread concern as we enter the peak lambing season, that there will be a surge in new visitors who are simply unaware of the countryside code or how their dog will behave around farm animals.

“We want people to enjoy the countryside as it’s so important for people’s wellbeing. It’s vital that dog owners act responsibly and keep dogs on a lead and under control whenever there is a possibility of livestock are nearby.”

In North Wales, a six-year police campaign to tackle livestock attacks by dogs has resulted in the number of attacks reported halving.

Rob Taylor leads the North Wales Police rural crime team which is working nationally to increase police and court powers with a change in legislation to offer farmers more protection from dogs that attack livestock.

He said: “Livestock attacks can have a devastating impact on the farmer and also the dog owner, as both can lose animals either from the attack itself or a court imposing a destruction order on a dog.

“We have seen significant falls from reported cases in North Wales, however, we are nowhere near our end goal, so we will continue to work to educate and seek law change through Westminster to give police more powers to make the difference we need.”

Alarmingly, only 40 per cent of the dog owners surveyed by NFU Mutual accepted that their pet could cause the injury or death of a farm animal.

Ms Davidson added: “Even if a dog doesn’t make physical contact, the distress and exhaustion of the chase can cause sheep to die or miscarry their lambs.

“It’s important that owners realise that all dog breeds, not just the big, fierce looking ones, are capable of chasing livestock, or attacking them.”

In 2020, the worst-affected region by cost was the North East, where farm animals worth an estimated £240,000 were savaged by dogs. The next most seriously-affected areas were the Midlands, South West and Wales.

With lambing season approaching and many more people planning to walk in the countryside - including those with new lockdown puppies, NFU Mutual is calling for dog owners to keep their pets under control at all times.

To make dog walking safe, NFU Mutual is issuing the following advice:

• Always keep dogs on the lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept but let go of the lead if you are chased by cattle

• Be aware that even small dogs can chase, injure and kill farm animals

• Take special care to keep close control of dogs unused to farm animals

• Report attacks by dogs and sightings of dogs roaming the countryside to the police or local farmers

• Don’t let dogs loose and unsupervised in gardens adjoining livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and attack sheep grazing nearby

Advice on preventing dogs attacking livestock is available from NFU Mutual’s website:

www.nfumutual.co.uk/news-and-stories/preventing-dog-attacks-on-farm-animals/.