Pregnant sheep enters water after being pursued by four dogs
17th January 2025
The coastguard was called after members of the public tried to enter the water near Dunstanburgh Castle to rescue the injured animal.
A pregnant sheep entered the water after being attacked by an off-the-lead dog in Northumberland on Sunday (12th January).
The dog was one of four that were off the lead among the livestock. The ewe suffered a bite to the face and had fled to the water for safety.
The Howick Coastguard Rescue Team were called to the scene just south of Dunstanburgh Castle, following reports that members of the public were trying to rescue the sheep.
Coastguard rescue officers helped recover the sheep before a local farmer reunited it with its flock.
Sheep chased by dogs “every day”
The farmer, Philip Grey, told BBC News he has lost at least 10 sheep in the last three to four years and believes his sheep are chased by dogs every day.
“Many of the other attacks we don’t get to know about because often they get chased into the sea and drown,” he said.
The pub at Craster contacts him “all the time” about his sheep being chased, he added.
“We go to several major incidents a year where sheep have been injured and some have to be put down.”
His farm includes an area of land between Craster and Dunstanburgh Castle which draws thousands of walkers a year.
READ MORE: Revolutionary product offers greater navel protection than iodine, study shows
“It’s the 5% that are idiots and just ignore the signs and have no idea of the impact their dogs are having when they chase sheep,” Philip commented.
“The ewe that went into the sea on Sunday will probably abort now because of the shock and won’t come into lamb again, so that’s a big loss of income for me.”
He concluded: “I don’t know why the public can’t do just one simple thing, just keep your dog on a lead.”
Read more livestock news.
