Wednesday 15th January 2003
Dartmoor hit by increase in sheep attacked by dogs | |
|  | | One of the sheep that survived an attack |
| | Thirteen sheep have been killed in a series of dog attacks on Dartmoor in the last 10 days.
Park rangers are now appealing to owners to keep their pets under careful control. |
|  | | The attacks have taken place in Postbridge, Yelverton, Moretonhampstead, Ashburton and Chagford.
 | | This was one of the luckier sheep |
The series of attacks has left 13 sheep dead and four injured over a period of 10 days.
Farmers say they cannot explain why there has been such a sudden series of attacks on the National Park and park rangers are now appealing to owners to keep their pets under careful control.
National Farmers' Union (NFU) spokesman Ian Johnson said the extent of the problem is often underestimated.
 | | Notices warn owners to control their dogs |
He said: "It's a huge worry, not just in terms of finance, though there are tough trading times at the moment and there is the cost of these, but also in animal welfare terms.
"If it's not killed, the sheep can be very badly injured. And, at lambing time, it can cause them to abort, which is a terrible problem."
The penalty for not keeping control of a dog can be a fine of £400. But, for an owner, there can be a greater cost. If their pet does start worrying sheep, a farmer is entitled to shoot it.
Are you a farmer whose sheep have been attacked? Have your say on our farming message board >>>
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