Farmer’s appeal to dog owners before lambing

Farmer’s appeal to dog owners before lambing

30 January 2013 - by BY DAVID TELFORD

A SAINTFIELD farmer has warned dog owners across the district to control their pets in the countryside.

Robert Burgess, who is also a local councillor, said farmers have enough to contend with during the imminent lambing season without having to worry about their animals being targeted by dogs.

While many farmers have been hindered by the recent poor weather, heavy snow in the Saintfield area provided an insight into the problems many of them are facing.

Mr. Burgess explained paw prints in the snow discovered in a number of fields in the area where sheep are due to lamb have revealed that many dogs are roaming free.

But he said the sheep worrying problems are not confined to this part of the district, with farmers in other areas concerned about their animals being attacked in the lead-up to the lambing season.

Mr. Burgess has had ewes mauled and killed in previous attacks on his land during the lambing season and said other farmers have experienced similar problems.

“I would appeal to dog owners not to allow their pets to roam free, especially at this time of year. Dogs worrying ewes about to lamb can cause major problems.

“Dogs running after ewes for just a few minutes can lead to the animals aborting or having major problems delivering. Farmers are working flat out during the lambing season and should be allowed to get on with the job unhindered.”

Mr. Burgess said farmers have to meet the cost of replacing dead sheep and lambs and veterinary bills to treat injured animals.

“The issue of dogs straying onto farmland in nothing new, but it has to be addressed.

Farmers have a right to shoot dogs which stray on their land but not everyone wants to do this. Dog owners need to be more responsible,” he declared.

Mr. Burgess said one particular issue which concerns farmers is that when dogs get a taste for blood they will return to carry out further attacks.

He continued: “I don’t believe it’s too much to ask people to keep their dogs on a lead at all times. Clearly there are those who just open the door and let their animals roam freely and, more often than not, it’s these dogs which are attacking sheep. This must stop.