A LOCAL farmer, whose sheep have been savaged by dogs, is pleading with people to follow the country code and keep their animals on the lead when walking through fields grazed by livestock.
Peter Minns of Wick Hill Farm, Hartley Mauditt, was devastated to wake one Monday morning to find his small flock scattered and running scared. Two died from shock, one has lacerations around the neck and another is recovering from a broken leg.
ÒThe fear now is that they will abort the lambs they are carrying,Ó said Mr Minns.
The incident, which happened two weeks ago, is thought to have occurred sometime during Sunday afternoon or evening.
According to Mr Minns the 16-strong flock of mixed breed sheep were grazing in a meadow less than 30 yards away but not visible from the farmhouse. The field has a public footpath running through it leading from the Hangers Way to the Long Lythe at Selborne - a path which is frequently used by walkers and their dogs, not all of which are on leads.
While this is the first time Mr Minns has experienced an incident of sheep savaging he has been plagued by gates being left open, some deliberately so since they were wired up.
Commenting on the incident, Alton NFU branch secretary, Richard Buer, warned owners that farmers do have the right to shoot dogs caught worrying sheep. And, he added: ÒOnce a dog has savaged a sheep it tends to get the taste for it and will go back again and again.Ó
Mr Buer further pointed out that anyone walking through a field of livestock should have their dogs on a lead and that the country code rules that if you go through a gate you should close it again, Òeven if you cannot see animals in the field.Ó
ÒOne of the biggest draws on the NFU insurance company is from damage caused by animals let out of fields by people who have failed to close gates behind them,Ó he said.
Anyone with any information about about the sheep attacks at Wick Hill Farm is asked to phone the police at Alton on 0845 045 4545