UK Sheep Breeders' Association calls for tough action against dog owners

Dog attacks on flocks have taken such a scale that the national Sheep Breeders Association was forced to apply with a statement to the British government. Industry representatives believe that the measures taken are not enough to prevent new dog attacks

The latest NFU Mutual statistics for 2021 show an upward trend in the number of attacks. As many city dwellers travel to the countryside in the summer, more incidents are likely to occur.

The association also criticized the new pet bill, which also aims to prevent dogs from attacking sheep and cows. The bill should be considered in the second reading, after the return of Parliament after the summer holidays.

Representatives of the livestock industry urged parliamentarians to supplement the bill with a provision to toughen penalties for dog owners, as well as to spell out in detail the requirements for their maintenance when there are livestock nearby.

Sheep Association spokesman Sean Rish said: “Recent high-profile stories in the media have shown how even a well-trained dog can be unpredictable. Leashes can protect dog owners, the animals themselves, farmers and their livestock from the consequences of an attack.”

The Association also welcomed recent announcements in connection with the establishment of a national dog DNA database. The relevant bill is also under consideration in Parliament. Meanwhile, Gloucester Police recently announced the development of the world's first dog DNA database to help prevent pet theft and tracing.

In a recent YouGov poll of over 4,500 adults, only 10% of those polled were opposed to creating a national dog DNA database.