Wiltshire: Sheep bitten by dog prompts police appeal
17th February 2025
Wiltshire Rural Crime Team has issued a plea for dog owners after a sheep was bitten by a dog and another ewe aborted her lambs.
The rural crime team is reminding dog owners to be responsible and keep their dogs on a lead while walking near animals to avoid attacks on sheep during lambing season.
The plea follows a number of reports about dogs chasing sheep on farmland.
In one recent incident a sheep was bitten by a dog, another ewe aborted her lambs, and a flock had to be rescued from a stream.
Inspector Andy Lemon, from the Rural Crime Team, said: “Dog owners are reminded that they are responsible for their dogs at all times, and allowing them out of sight to roam does not negate your responsibility for your pets.
“Offences are being committed under the Dangerous Dogs Act and the Protection of Livestock Act and incidents of this nature are taken seriously, particularly at this time of year when many sheep are in lamb and due to give birth to young at any moment.
“Please be mindful of your dog escaping or being out of sight around livestock.”
READ MORE: Pregnant sheep enters water after being pursued by four dogs
READ MORE: Dog owner fined after dogs killed 15 sheep
Dangerous livestock worrying
Wiltshire Police explained that livestock worrying is a criminal offence and comes under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.
‘Worrying’ is when a dog attacks or chases livestock, causing injury or suffering.
This is not just a threat to a farmer’s or landowner’s livelihood; it is also a dangerous situation for the animals involved and could lead to more risk if the animals get onto the road.
A farmer is allowed to kill the dog if it is worrying their livestock, the force confirmed.
Read more rural crime news.
