Four pregnant sheep '˜killed by dog' in Burwash

A dog is suspected of killing four ewes in two sheep-worrying incidents in Burwash.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Feb 2017, 14:01 BST
Updated 1st Mar 2017, 08:50 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

PolicePolice
Police

Four pregnant ewes died in the Kings Hill area over the space of six days between Monday, January 23, and Saturday, January 28.

The dog, possibly a German shepherd or similar, was seen in the area at the time and is believed to have worried the sheep.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

PCSO Daryl Holter, wildlife crime officer, said: “Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act it is a criminal offence to let a dog worry sheep and owners or handlers risk being fined.

“We ask that if you are walking your dog in an area where livestock is kept, please keep them on a lead and under control.

“Ultimately, a landowner is able to shoot a dog that they believe is worrying sheep - and that includes if they are just running after them or chasing them, not necessarily physically attacking them.

“At this time of year, most ewes are in lamb and stress caused by dogs can cause them to abort. Even the most docile of pets can turn killer and even the best behaved of dogs can become uncontrollable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Don’t walk your pet away from where you are permitted to be and always be aware of livestock - it may not be in sight, perhaps hidden by vegetation or the lie of the land.”

Eighteen sheep were killed near Ninfield after it is suspected they were panicked into running into a road by dogs on Sunday, February 12.

Anyone with information about these sheep deaths is asked to email [email protected] or call 101 quoting serial 900 of 30/01.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @BattleObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:PCSOFacebookTwitter