Rural crime experts have recorded attacks on sheep by 27 different breeds of dog in North Wales over the past two years.
Leading the way were huskies – now sheep enemy number one – followed by Alsatians, Staffies and terriers.
But the North Wales rural crime team has also recorded cases involving supposedly more sedate breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers and labradoodles.
In the first statistical survey of its kind in the UK, the team collated details of 259 attacks on sheep that have occurred in North Wales since September 2013.
Displayed by dog breed, it shows that huskies have been involved in 35 incidents – 10 more than the next worst culprits, alsatians.
Collies, lurchers and spaniels also made it into double figures, while there were also attacks by less common breeds such as the Shar-Pei and Belgian Malinois.
According to team leader Sgt Rob Taylor, this doesn’t begin to tell the whole story.
“Twelve months or so ago there were very few attacks on sheep by huskies. Now, suddenly, they are responsible for virtually every incident,” he said.
“We’ve tried to analyse why this might be. We’ve even cross-referenced cases with full moons to see if there was a link – there wasn’t.
“I can only imagine it has coincided with a sudden rise in husky ownership.”
Huskies are great companions but they need careful ownership
One possible explanation for the rise in attacks by huskies is the popularity of TV shows and films such as Game of Thrones and the Twilight series, which both feature husky-type dogs.
On its website the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain says the breed can make excellent companions but it emphasises the dangers too.
As well as a strong desire to run – they should never be let off a lead – they are “efficient hunters and killers” that “cannot be trusted with non-canine pets or livestock of any sort”.
They need lots of exercise, plenty of company and should be enclosed in garden that is fully secured with 6ft-high fencing.
Sgt Taylor said: “It’s clear they are not the kind of dog that should be kept on a housing estate.”
One in 13 dogs are shot dead by farmers
The survey revealed that 7% of the dogs involved in sheep attacks were legally shot dead by farmers.
In some incidents, owners were prosecuted or they agreed to compensate the farmer – as happened in Glyn Ceiriog last week.
A few cases involved walkers who let their dogs off their leads, but the majority of attacks were by stay-at-home pets that had escaped from their gardens.
An unusual case this week involved yet another husky dog on Anglesey that killed a sheep.
“What was different about this incident was that the owner contacted us to say it had happened,” said Sgt Taylor.
“He told us he had taken his dog to the vet to have it put down.”
Has rise in sheep attacks peaked?
Only rarely are dogs not caught in the act, though some cases still go unreported.
For the rural crime team, sheep attacks are the one offence that stubbornly refuses to decline, reflecting the UK trend.
“I think we are getting more cases reported now because of the trust earned by the rural crime team,” said Sgt Taylor.
“That’s begun to plateau and I can predict that, within the next 12 months or so, the figures might start to go down.
“However you can never be certain, as there will always be irresponsible dog owners.”
- The North Wales rural crime team will be featured on BBC One’s Countryfile on Sunday, February 28.
Sheep attacks by breed of dog
Husky – 35 Alsatian – 25 Terriers – 20 Staffies – 19
Collies – 16 Lurchers – 15 Spaniels – 12 Labradors – 7
Akita – 5 Boxer – 3 Crossbreeds – 3 Bull Mastiff – 3
Golden Retriever – 2 Greyhound – 2 Doberman – 2 Rottweiler – 2
Kelpie – 2 Labradoodle – 2 Whippet – 1 Beagle – 1
Shar Pei – 1 Weimaraner – 1 Malanois – 1 Hounds – 1
Rhodesian Ridgeback – 1 Wolfhound – 1 Bull Terrier – 1
- Not all dog breeds were recorded in the study
- see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/259-sheep-killed-27-breeds-10908840
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