Dog Owner Fined Over Savage Sheep Attacks in Kent
Dogs Maul and Drown Sheep in Shocking Attacks
Kent Police have hit a dog owner with a hefty £6,150 fine after his dogs launched brutal attacks on sheep near Maidstone last October. The savage incidents left eight sheep dead, some drowning after being chased into a river, and several others seriously injured.
On 22 October 2022, three dogs chased ewes near Chart Hill Road, causing panic that led some to plunge into the water and drown. Two days later, the same dogs returned and killed another four sheep.
Man Pleads Guilty to Sheep Worrying Charges
The investigation by Kent’s Rural Task Force brought the case to Maidstone Magistrates’ Court in June 2023. The man responsible pleaded guilty to two counts of sheep worrying and was ordered to pay £5,000 compensation to the farmer plus a £1,150 fine.
Sergeant Darren Walshaw said: “These were particularly nasty incidents, causing distressing injuries and the deaths of eight sheep, several of them pregnant. This year alone, we’ve seen nearly 50 reported sheep worrying cases across Kent. The impact on farmers includes emotional distress, vet bills, and financial losses from replacing animals.”
He added: “This penalty sends a clear message: dog owners must keep pets under control around livestock. Farmers are even entitled to shoot dogs if they’re found worrying the flock.”
Sheep Worrying: The Law and Risks
- Under the Animals Act 1971, farmers can legally kill or injure dogs to protect livestock if the dog is worrying the animals.
- ‘Worrying’ means attacking or chasing livestock causing injury, suffering, or loss.
- It’s an offence for dogs to roam fields with livestock unless on a lead or under close control.
- Dog owners face prosecution if their pets worry livestock on agricultural land.
Dog owners, beware: keep your dogs on leads near farms or face serious penalties and possible legal action.
