North Wales - MORE than a thousand sheep have been killed in dog attacks in North Wales in the last two years

Owners warned that dog attacks on sheep are "unacceptable"

Published date: 24 April 2016 | 

Published by: Rachel Nash 
Read more articles by Rachel Nash Email reporter

MORE than a thousand sheep have been killed in dog attacks in North Wales in the last two years.

The shocking statistic has been described by Sergeant Rob Taylor of the Police Rural Crime Team as “totally unacceptable”.

After the latest dog attack that took place in Llandyrnog on Friday, April 15, in which three lambs were killed, Sergeant Taylor is highlighting the seriousness of the problem and has called for dog owners to be more responsible.

“Sheep are brutally killed by dogs if not every day then every other day, “ said Sgt Taylor.

“It is so needless.

“I'm so sick and tired of irresponsible dog owners who let their pets conduct such savagery. 

“Owning a dog brings responsibility.

“In the last two years over 1000 sheep have died in North Wales in 280 separate dog attacks. 

“It is totally unacceptable.”

Sergeant Taylor said that while there is a perception that it is always dogs that have been let off the lead by their owners that attack livestock, he says there is also a problem with dogs escaping form homes and gardens.

“It’s a two-fold problem,”said Sergeant Taylor. 

“We have irresponsible dog owners who let their dogs off the lead and they go on to attack sheep.

“Then there's the dogs who are left on their own for long periods because their owners are at work. The dogs then become bored and if fences etc are not secured properly they escape and can attack sheep.

“Once a dog has got a taste of sheep's blood it will always go back for more.

“People perhaps think it's always a case of dogs being let off leads but we have many cases where dogs have escaped and carried out shocking attacks on sheep. It's around 50 percent of the time.

“It is imperative that dog owners show responsibility and keep their dogs on leads and ensure they cannot escape when at home.

Sergeant Taylor added: “The statistics here in Denbighshire are worrying but I think it's a reflection of the national picture. 

“People need to listen and learn.”