Farmer blames large numbers of people playing in the snow for death of sheep

A downland farmer has told the public that ‘the volume of people and dogs passing through’ his land has caused livestock to collapse and due to stress.

Henry Brown, from Chalk Farm on the South Downs, said he retrieved a dead sheep following an ‘influx of recreational sledging’ and general public out and about in the snowy conditional earlier this week.

On February 8 Mr Brown said, “The onset of a little snow and influx of recreational sledging has seen a great deal of damage occur on the farm. “Today, we have retrieved dead sheep which have been exhausted by the continual stress of being pushed from pillar to post by the volume of people and dogs passing through.

“During adverse weather livestock need to take shelter, rest and graze when they can, which they’re not able to do if constantly hassled. Pastures have been torn up by the sledging. Fences and gates damaged by people going where they please.”

Many sheep will be in lamb this time of year too so stress can cause them to miscarry.

He said ‘disrespectful behaviour’ won’t be tolerated and asked people to look after the countryside.

Mr Brown said, “We simply ask that you respect the farm, our home, the fields, fences, livestock and crops.

“Utilising only the appropriate access points. Take your litter home. Keep your dogs on a lead and keep out of land that doesn’t have public access.”