Warning and appeal after sheep attacked near Osmotherley

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGE 

We are appealing for witnesses and information after a sheep was seriously injured by a dog.

We are also reminding dog owners of their responsibility to keep their dog on a lead where there is livestock and that sheep worrying is a criminal offence. In some circumstances a farmer is entitled to shoot your pet if it attacks their livestock.  

In this latest case, at around 12pm on Sunday 26 January, two dogs were seen running loose at the Cod Beck “sheep wash” car park near Osmotherley, scattering the livestock that were present then one of them attacked and seriously injured a sheep.

The dog that attacked the sheep is described as a light brown coloured crossbreed.

We are appealing to the owner of the dogs to come forward along with anyone who was in the area of the “sheep wash” on Sunday morning / afternoon and saw the incident or the two dogs running around, or has any dashcam footage of the dogs or their owner.

If you can help the investigation, please email [email protected] or call 101 and pass information for PC Nixon-Longstaff. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference 12250015506 when passing on information.

Our thanks go the member of the public who intervened in the attack and tried to get the dog off the sheep with a stick.

At this time of year in particular many sheep are pregnant with lambs and even if your dog does not touch them, the stress of being chased can cause serious harm to the sheep and their unborn lambs.

 More advice for dog owners

• You must ensure a field or area has no livestock or wild animals in it before letting your dog off lead. 
• It’s the law to keep your dog is under control in an area where there are livestock or wild animals.
• Be particularly vigilant during lambing season and always keep dogs on a lead during this time.
• Don't allow people who may not be confident in doing so or may not have full control over the animal to walk your dog.
• Remember where there may be no livestock in a field one day, the same location could be full of animals the next.
• If you live in or near a farming area, you must make sure your dog cannot escape from your property, as it may find its way onto land containing livestock.
• In certain circumstances a farmer is entitled to shoot your dog if it is attacking their livestock.