The Malvern Hills Trust is reminding dog walkers of the importance of putting their pets on leads near livestock after a pregnant sheep was attacked by a dog.
On Friday 13th December, the Trust were alerted to a dog attacking a sheep. A member of the public who witnessed the attack was able to pull the dog, a border terrier, off the sheep and stop the attack.
The grazier, Malvern Hills Trust staff and the police swiftly attended to find the animal with severe injuries near Malvern Wells. The dog, which was off the lead, had chased the sheep off the hill and caused such significant injuries that the sheep had to be put down by the grazier.
Beck, Community and Conservation Officer said “We’re extremely saddened to hear that a sheep has been attacked by a dog on the Malvern Hills. This is why we continue to urge dog owners to keep their pet on a lead when walking near livestock.
“Your dog should be under close, effective control at all times on the Malvern Hills and Commons. This means that your dog should be in sight at all times and if you cannot be certain that your dog will return immediately when called, whatever the circumstances, you should keep your dog on a lead at all times.
“In this case, the dog was off the lead and this has resulted in this horrific incident. The simple act of putting your pet on a lead will stop these devastating incidents from happening again.“
Sheep and cattle can be found grazing the Malvern Hills and Commons all year round and are an essential part of the conservation of the Hills and Commons as well as being someone’s livelihood.
Livestock worrying, which includes chasing, is a criminal offence and those who do not have control of their dog may face a fine or, in serious cases, see their dogs destroyed. Sheep and lambs may not always be visible so dogs should always be kept under close control and on a lead where grazing cattle and sheep are known to be.
John Chance, livestock owner said “I’m speechless and devastated by how much the sheep suffered. I’d like to thank the police for their attendance and support and the member of the public who intervened and halted the attack.”
Beck added “This is also an important reminder that any dog can cause significant harm to livestock and even a small dog, on this occasion a border terrier, is able to do enough damage to result in the death of an animal.”
Anyone who witnesses sheep worrying on the Hills and Commons is asked to report it to the Trust on 01684 892002 and to the police on 101.
To help visitors find out more about where they may find livestock, the locations of cattle and sheep within the Trust's grazing projects are published weekly on Stockwatch. Much of the Malvern Hills and Commons are registered Common land therefore cattle and sheep may be found grazing freely outside of the grazing projects and Stockwatch updates.
