'Covid led to rise in livestock worrying, but we're working hard to cut incidents'

WARNING: Graphic imagery below.

In this guest blog, Kent Police Rural Task Force Sergeant Darren Walshaw discusses how livestock worrying cases rose after Covid, and issues CLA members with some top tips on what to do if your farm is affected...

For any livestock owner, a dog attack on the very livestock that they have a responsibility to protect and nurture can be one of the most emotive and distressing crimes they will ever experience.

There is also the financial impact on their business, yet these crimes could be easily avoided with responsible dog ownership.

I have been a police officer for 25 years, however prior to my police career I was raised on a livestock farm where I went into the family business working as a shepherd/stockman on a large estate. I have witnessed first-hand the devastation that a single dog can cause within a flock of sheep and I have seen the horrific injuries any breed or type of dog can cause.

It is imperative that the public are made aware of the ramifications of livestock worrying and the importance of being a responsible dog owner as any incident is one too many.

I would urge dog owners to remain aware of their dog's location and surroundings while on walks and not to get distracted by phone calls or conversations. At this time of year, it is even important to consider that the empty field you have previously walked in may now have ewes with young lambs in. The mere presence of a dog will cause the sheep to run, which may leave a lamb lost from its mother and vulnerable, as well as exciting a dog into chasing them.

Another consideration for dog owners is that their dog can be shot lawfully if found attacking livestock.

In Kent, every livestock worrying incident is investigated by the Rural Task Force (RTF) who are a group of trained and experienced officers who can respond to incidents as they occur or investigate them afterwards as required.

The RTF has employed forensic capture at livestock incidents for the last four to five years and is currently working with Liverpool John Moores University to develop the best way to extract canine DNA from another animal.

Under the current legislation the dog’s DNA is taken with the consent of the dog owner, although we have on one occasion obtained a warrant to take samples. Kent Police has had positive results where the suspect dog has been forensically linked to a livestock worrying offence. Any outcome for a livestock worrying investigation is considered on its own merits and we take on the views of the livestock owner.

A large percentage of cases are dealt with out of court, generally by way of community resolution. This outcome includes the dog owner paying the livestock owner compensation for any loss or damages to the livestock. We will always look at preventative measures such as the dog owner attending and completing a 'sheep-proof my dog’ course or a ‘responsible dog owner’ course, and if applicable a condition to improving garden boundary security.

The number of reported livestock worrying cases in Kent hit a peak of 112 in 2022, which I would suggest is due to the increase in dog ownership during the Covid lockdowns in 2020 with the dogs purchased then maturing in 2022. I am pleased to see the work of the RTF and the preventative measures utilised is starting to reduce the incidents back to the pre-lockdown levels with 84 last year. However, I stress again that every one of these could have been avoided.

If you are the victim of such a crime rest then rest assured the Rural Task Force in Kent will take the incident seriously. You can help us by considering the below points.

• Livestock worrying is a crime and all incidents should be reported to us.
• If an incident of livestock worrying is in progress or likely to occur then you can report it by calling 999. Provide an accurate location and in remote areas consider using the ‘What 3 Words’ application. If possible, arrange to meet officers to guide them to the location.
• Preserve evidence including attacked livestock that can be forensically examined and may help identify the dogs involved.
• If it is raining or wet, please cover any carcasses with waterproof material such as tarpaulin. This will enable police to obtain the best evidence.
• Take photographs and video of the attacked livestock, the whole scene and detailed close-ups and ear tag numbers. If possible, obtain a veterinary examination – expert medical evidence is useful for subsequent prosecutions.