Please be aware that there are lambs and vulnerable pregnant ewes in the fields around Clifford’s Mesne, possibly from late winter through to late Spring.

The National Sheep Association would like for you to be able to enjoy the beautiful countryside and give the following advice (plus a downloadable leaflet dog owners may find useful):

Please keep your dog close by and always on a lead if you are in fields containing livestock. This also applies if your dog(s) might have access to those fields (ie escape from you or your garden). 

The layout of the fields (hills, dips etc), mean the livestock might be just out of sight but accessible to your dog(s).

It might not be obvious from a sign that says “Lambs in field” that obedient and well behaved family dogs (to the surprise of the owners) can still be triggered into chasing sheep and not respond to calls.

The consequences are far ranging, gruesome and easily avoided with the correct use of a dog lead that can cost less than £10:

• The farmer has rights to shoot the dog(s) on sight if seen worrying the sheep – emotional consequences for all concerned. This is a last resort for the farmer, but it’s important to know of the possibility.
• It is a criminal offence (for the dog owners). Conviction means a criminal record and a fine of up to £1,000 plus costs.
• Dog bites can cause serious injury resulting in death or expensive medical bills.
• Blood from bites attracts flies which causes “fly strike”, a nasty infection of maggots infesting living tissue, leading to suffering and possibly death of the animal.
• Ewes and lambs can become separated and fail to find each other – this causes lambs to starve or die of hypothermia.
• Stressed pregnant ewes can miscarry their lambs.
• Damage to fences and other boundaries due to panicked sheep trying to escape the dog(s).
• Time, money and emotional consequences to the farmer and family.
• Financial consequences to the dog owners to make reparations (lambs and sheep are livestock assets).

Please, take care to enjoy the countryside responsibly.

Read the National Sheep Association’s sheep worrying resource for more details.