A SMALLHOLDER in Gainford has spoken of her upset after orphaned lambs and sick ewes were mauled in a vicious dog attack.
Three lambs had to be put to sleep and ewes are still recovering after a dog got into a field near Meavey Cottage last Monday morning (April 23).
Owner Sharon Logan wasn’t home at the time but was soon alerted by neighbours John Tully and Roy Logan, who dragged the dog from the livestock.
Ms Logan, who had hand-reared the lambs, said: “John had seen this dog going round the field. He had thought it was my collie, Nan, because the sheep weren’t running away but then he realised it wasn’t. Apparently it was pulling lambs through the hedge.
“Three lambs were badly bitten. One lamb had two holes in its head where the dog had sunk its teeth in. One ewe has a large bite and one has a chewed ear. One of the ewes is losing her coat now because she is in shock. There is a possibility that more might die as infections are now cropping up.”
Police were called at 9.46am to reports of a sheep-worrying incident involving one husky-type dog at the site, just off Main Road. A police investigation is taking place. The attack was also reported to Durham County Council. The dog was secured in a kennel until the dog warden attended to locate the owner.
Ms Logan said: “I am disappointed in the system. I was under the impression that the dog would be put down and not handed back to the owner which is what happened. My biggest fear is that the dog will come back and do it again.”
Ms Logan had two of her own dogs put to sleep a number of years ago after they were caught worrying livestock.
The retired podiatrist said: “My dogs didn’t bite them, they only chased them. I could not guarantee that those dogs wouldn’t do it again. It broke my heart but if you have dogs you have to be responsible for them.”
The lambs which were harmed during the attack last week were all female, meaning breeding plans have been affected. The ewes can’t go to the mart either because they are now marked.
She said: “I know it’s a business and I am breeding them to be eaten and I am not normally sentimental but it is horrible to see the effect the attack has had on the animals.
“They are not the happy little flock that I had. I never dreamt it would happen to us and I never thought it would make me a blubbering mess like this. I never want this to happen to anyone else.”
Neighbourhood warden co-ordinator at Durham County Council Richie Brown said: “One of our wardens returned the dog to its owner and passed the details of the incident to police. It is the police who have the powers to decide what, if any, action should now be taken.”
A spokesperson for the National Farmers Union said: “The impact of these attacks on farmers is massive, both emotionally and financially.
“A serious incident can also impact on breeding lines within the flock. It is currently a difficult problem to counter and as a result, the NFU particularly welcomes recommendations to increase police powers and make livestock worrying a recordable crime, so we can start to understand the true extent of the problem.
“We continue to urge members of the public to act responsibly around farm animals, ensuring their dogs are kept on a lead and to make sure they know where their dogs are at all times. We also urge farmers to make sure they report all incidents to the police. The law currently allows farmers to shoot dogs caught worrying livestock but as we see dog attacks continuing to inflict such shocking losses on farms across our region, we must work hard to come up with better solutions to ensure both livestock and dogs are kept safe.”
