The Manx National Farmers Union (MNFU) is reiterating its message for dog owners to keep pets under control around livestock.
As we approach spring the sight of lambs and sheep roaming around the countryside will be common, but don’t let careless ownership ruin that; it’s rather simple, keep your dog on a lead around livestock.
Warning: There are some images and content in this article that some may find upsetting.
Manx countryside
The majority of people accessing the Manx countryside are incredibly conscientious when out walking their dogs.
The MNFU say that the agricultural sector “welcomes this recognition and support, and it makes a vital contribution towards protecting our agriculture and our wildlife in our many shared spaces”.
However, incidents of sheep worrying are on the increase, and every year the MNFU calls for dog owners and walkers to take more control of their pet dogs when out in the countryside.
Sheep worrying
The MNFU survey in 2023 revealed that 82% of farmer respondents had had at least one sheep worrying incident during 2022, far exceeding what is reported to police.
It also reported that at least 26 sheep had been killed by dogs and 74 injured directly because of loose dogs during 2022.
In one case a flock of 110 sheep were terrorised over a prolonged period, with 7 of them very badly injured as a result of owners allowing dogs to run loose.
The MNFU recently released footage supplied by a local farmer on its social media page, Manx Farming and Food Matters.
The footage filmed a loose dog just after it had chased a sheep off the cliff on Peel Hill. Cases like this often go unreported and incidents could well be much higher than the survey suggests.
The majority of incidents are from one or two dogs, that have either been left off the lead and the owner has lost control, are as a result of unaccompanied dogs that are allowed to roam, or have escaped from inadequately secured domestic properties.
As residential developments increasingly expand to the countryside, there is more and more emphasis on preventing dogs from straying from the home.
Dog owners
MNFU Member feedback indicated that during most incidents dog owners are exercising the dog off the lead, or do not believe that their dog is capable of attacking or worrying sheep.
Last year an owner was prosecuted for allowing dogs loose on more than one occasion. They were referred to in court as ‘lovely family pets’ but still managed to chase and kill several sheep.
Many incidents occur when dog owners demonstrate a lack of regard or assume that they will be able to control the dog, often just allowing dogs to run loose. Some believe the dog is just ‘playing’ with the sheep.
Farmers have reported incidents occurring with people letting dogs out for a walk in a car park adjacent to their fields, sitting in cars while dogs roamed free.
Farmers experience verbal abuse
MNFU feedback suggests farmers are reluctant to approach dog walkers about putting dogs on leads, and if they do, many dog walkers refuse the request.
Usually the farmer is ignored, and some experienced verbal abuse.
On rare occasions this has become physically threatening and dog owners have sought retribution with reports of gates, signage and land being damaged.
Dog attacks on sheep causing actual injury or death are always savage and prolonged.
There are then the unaccounted deaths happening after the event as well, with sheep succumbing to injuries, trauma and stress.
It is always a distressing incident for farmers, and dog attacks on stock cause suffering that will generally only be seen and experienced by the farmer and family.
Public support to protect livestock
For the MNFU, along with the need to protect livelihoods, it is a matter of animal welfare, and the Union are lobbying for better investigative powers for police and stronger sentencing as has been adopted in Scotland.
Members of the public can support the protection of livestock and wildlife further by alerting police and the farmer of any incident they witness.
They can provide vital evidence by taking photos or video footage of any sheep worrying, or loose dogs near livestock.
The MNFU advises contacting the police first, and the farmer, then trying to record as much evidence as possible, though it is recommended not to attempt to intervene due to the risks of personal injury.
It is a very distressing thing to witness, but gathering evidence is vital.
The MNFU is working with the IOM Constabulary to provide education and advice on controlling dogs when out in the countryside with the safest method always being to keep dogs on leads.
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