Police issue warning about sheep worrying

Sussex Police issued a warning about sheep worrying around Telscombe Tye yesterday (Friday 20 June).

The force warned owners that their dogs could be shot by farmers if they were worrying sheep.

And it highlighted the case of a dog owner who was ordered to pay a farmer £600 last year after his dog killed four sheep.

PC Louise Barkaway, from the Peacehaven Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Sheep worrying is still a problem in the Telscombe Tye.

“Please keep all dogs on a lead when around sheep. Any dog worrying sheep on farmland can be shot by farmers in order to protect their livestock.

“Anyone who does not keep their dogs under control also risks being prosecuted. We ask anyone who witnesses sheep worrying to call Sussex Police on 101 to report it.”

Sussex Police said: “Sheep worrying can cause serious untreatable injuries, often leading to an animal being put down.

“After such an incident the flock can become terrified of dogs, including working sheep dogs.

“While the sheep suffer, so do farmers’ livelihoods, causing significant financial loss and great upset.”

The force said: “It occurs when dogs chase sheep, injure or kill them. Sheep are flighty animals and they flee when they perceive danger.

“Police are urging owners to keep dogs under full control, ideally on leads, especially while walking in any areas of livestock.

“They also need to check their own boundary fences and do all they can to keep their dogs contained within gardens.”