Hertfordshire police warning to dog owners over livestock worrying

Dog owners have been warned to keep their pets under control in rural areas to avoid incidents of livestock worrying.

Hertfordshire police say owners could face criminal charges under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

Livestock worrying is when dogs attack or chase cattle or sheep on agricultural land. A dog (not including a working dog) can also be classed as worrying livestock just by being ‘at large’ in a field or enclosure where there is livestock, such as not being on a lead or otherwise kept under close control.

Sgt Alex Winning, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s rural operational support team (ROST), said: “We ask that you please keep your dog on a lead if you’re out walking. Even if your dog is well trained it can still show instinctive predatory behaviour around livestock like sheep and cows. This can cause stress, injury or fatalities to the livestock.

“Livestock worrying is not just a risk to the welfare of the animals, it can also cause a great deal of stress and possible financial losses to the farmers.

“If you live near farmland, please ensure that your property is appropriately secured to stop your dog(s) getting out and onto agricultural land.

“Dog owners can be convicted for allowing their dog to be dangerously out of control and, in some cases, owners have been cautioned or summonsed to court.”

Sgt Winning added: “We would also encourage people to sign the pledge on the Operation Recall website, which is a national initiative that aims to drastically reduce the number of incidents where animals suffer, whether that’s injured livestock or dogs killed as a consequence of an attack.”

If you see an incident of livestock worrying in progress you should call 999. If it has already happened you can report it online, use the online webchat or call non-emergency number, 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the independent charity’s untraceable online form.

You can get more information on rural crime prevention on the Herts police website.