Police have shared footage of a dog chasing livestock, after a ewe was found dead in a field.
Gloucestershire Constabulary shared the footage on their Facebook page.
An article shared by Gloucestershire Constabulary said:
We’ve released video footage showing a dog chasing livestock after a ewe was found dead in a field.
In the footage, which was captured by a member of the public last weekend, a small dog is seen chasing a ewe and its lamb.
Although the dog did not bite the sheep, a ewe was found dead in the field the next day.
The act of being chased can cause sheep to become extremely stressed or injured, and can be fatal – we want to highlight how even if you think your dog won’t physically harm livestock, dogs running around with livestock can cause them significant harm.
The video shows what appears to be a brown spaniel type dog chasing livestock around a field near Winchcombe Cricket Club.
We’ve edited the video to remove the moment the ewe collapses mid-chase while trying to protect its lamb.
A member of the public, who was shouting at the dog to stop, was able to capture video footage of what was happening.
They reported that the ewe was lying down in the field afterwards and appeared injured. A dead ewe was found the next morning – it is not known whether this was the same ewe captured on video.
Livestock worrying is when loose dogs chase or attack farmed animals. Anyone who sees this happening is asked to take photos or video if possible and report this to the police.
Alongside animal welfare issues, livestock worrying can cause distress and financial losses to farmers.
It is believed the dog in the video is called Maisie, and we’re keen to speak to the dog’s owner.
The owner, or anyone who knows who they may be, is asked to contact us online and complete the following form quoting incident 290 of 12 April: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/
Livestock worrying is a crime and can include dogs attacking animals physically, running after them or chasing sheep around, especially when they are carrying lambs or there are young lambs within the flock.
Dog faeces left on grazing land may also carry disease which can kill livestock.
Gloucestershire Police launched Operation Recall last year as a reminder to owners to keep their pets under control. When walking dogs in rural areas, dog owners are advised about the following:
You must ensure a field or area has no livestock in it before letting your dog off lead. It is the law to keep your dog under control and the responsibility falls with the owner.
Always ensure your dog is under control in an area where there are livestock or wild animals.
Be particularly vigilant during lambing season and always keep dogs on a lead during this time.
If your dog is not good with other animals or people, avoid letting them off their lead when others are around.
Don’t allow people who may not be confident in doing so or have full control over the animal to walk your dog.
Remember where there may be no livestock in a field one day, the same location could be full of animals the next.
Ultimately a landowner by law, and as a last resort for protecting their livestock, is able to shoot a dog which they believe is worrying sheep. Police must be notified within 48 hours if this course of action is taken.
