Ainsworth farmer speaks of dog attacks as livestock deaths increase

Stuart Alderson has urged people to familiarise themselves with the countryside code to stop livestock from being attacked and killed by dogs.

The NFU Mutual said this week it estimates that farm animals in the North West of England worth £195,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2025, a 49 per cent rise compared to the previous year.

The Bolton News has previously reported on how Stuart, a farmer in Ainsworth, has had sheep killed or left seriously injured as a result of such attacks.

Speaking this week, he said: “It causes me extra work just to keep my sheep safe from them.”

“When it’s a high population time for dog walkers like holidays, weekends, things like that,

“I know there’s going to be more dogs out, there’s also going to be people who don’t come out that often who are unfamiliar with what they should be doing with their animals.”

He has previously warned that pet owners are not always aware of a dog’s instinct to chase livestock and even if the sheep is not attacked it could cause her harm.

Stuart, has said that most dog owners do obey the code, but urged all to ensure their dogs are on leads when walking through fields.

NFU Mutual survey of 1,407 dog owners revealed 57 per cent let their dogs off leads in the countryside. But alarmingly, one in 10 admitted their dog has no recall while 44 per cent said their dogs came back only ‘some’ or ‘most of the time’.

Stuart Alderson Image: NQ

One in 20 dog owners confessed their dogs had chased livestock, and more than three-fifths felt that other dog owners in their area did not treat livestock worrying as a serious issue.

Despite this, 72 per cent highlighted they were not actively taking steps to prevent their dogs from chasing and almost two-thirds said they do not believe their dogs are capable of harming or killing animals.

This comes as the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act was passed earlier this year, following prolonged industry campaigning, granting police enhanced powers to address dog attacks on farm animals in England and Wales.

NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, Hannah Binns, said: “As the lambing season gets underway, a time when pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are vulnerable, it is deeply concerning to see the estimated cost of livestock worrying rise to nearly £2 million in 2025.

“As a sheep farmer’s daughter, I know first-hand the hard work, long hours and emotional investment that goes into the lambing season. For farmers and their families, witnessing these horrific incidents or finding injured or dead livestock after an attack can be utterly heartbreaking.

“Farmers across the UK are living with the constant fear of repeat incidents, which cause immense suffering to livestock and can traumatise all involved in dealing with the aftermath. Anecdotally, we continue to hear reports of dogs injuring or killing sheep while owners are either unable to control their pets or are nowhere to be found.

“Ignoring the risks is never an option; regardless of breed, size, or temperament, all dogs can chase, injure or kill livestock. Even without physical contact, the stress of being chased can lead to exhaustion and stress, and in some cases separate young lambs from their mothers, which can lead to them being orphaned.

“It is crucial dog owners act responsibly by keeping their pets on leads wherever livestock may be nearby to prevent these needless attacks. If there is an incident, we urge those involved to do the right thing by informing a local farmer and reporting it to the police, so that any injured animals are not left suffering in pain.”