The financial penalty was made after a Kent Police investigation into two linked incidents near Maidstone last year, which led to the death of livestock.
The first incident happened on 22 October 2022 at a field close to Chart Hill Road, when three dogs chased and attacked several ewes which fell into a river and drowned. The dogs also mauled and seriously injured a number of other sheep. On 24 October, the dogs returned to the same location, where they killed another four sheep.
‘This is a significant penalty and a reminder of why we always urge owners to keep pets under control around any livestock. It is important to also remember that farmers are within their rights to sometimes shoot dogs, if they are deemed to be worrying their flocks.’
Facts about sheep worrying
Under the Animals Act 1971, a person acting to protect livestock may be able to kill or injure a dog that he/she reasonably believes is `worrying’ without incurring any criminal or civil liability.
As a dog owner or a person for the time being in charge of a dog, you could be committing an offence if your pet worries livestock on agricultural land.
Worrying includes attacking or chasing livestock in a way that might reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering or loss.
It can also be an offence to have a dog in a field or enclosed space where livestock is being kept, when the dog is not on a lead or under close control.
