NewsBeat
Ainsworth farmer’s plea after ‘regular’ dog attacks on sheep
Stuart Alderson, of Paddock Leach Farm, said that he has had to put sheep down after being chased – with some even dying from shock.
He said: “It’s hard enough to make a living off sheep as is. People don’t know how dangerous chasing sheep is – some of them die from the stress.
“If your dog needs to be on a lead on a public highway because you’re scared of them getting run over – then it should be on a lead around livestock.”
They estimated that dog attacks cost UK farmers a total of £1.8 million in 2024.
Mr Alderson said: “In July of last year some dogs chased the breeding females around the field and one of them got stuck in the mud and broke her two front legs.
“I had to euthanise the ewe.
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“As you can imagine it’s distressing for me and – other dog walkers as well – most dog owners are fine.”
Mr Alderson said that though most dog owners do use leads – those who don’t can get “abusive” when they’re asked to use a lead.
He said: “I always ask people nicely and say ‘look, could you please put your dog on a lead’ but some people get abusive and say – ‘no way, my dog would never do that’ and people refuse.”
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Mr Alderson has urged dog walkers to think about where they are before taking their dogs off the lead
He said: “People please before you leave home, think about where you’re going, and consider that there could be livestock in the field.
“If you even think there might be in the field – just put your dog on the lead.
“Most people are bothered but the 20 per cent – or whatever they are – just aren’t bothered at all.
“The last time it happened to me I just thought about stopping farming, that’s how bad it gets.”