Dog worrying by livestock!

[Dry Rot]

I get asked all sorts of questions about dogs and Google usually comes up with an answer. So here's a new one on me! (Definitely asking for a 'friend'!).

Allegedly, it is legal (or a legal defence) if your dog, on it's own initiative, chases stray livestock off your own property. The courts apparently accept that it is in a dog's nature to protect it's home. What is not permitted is to deliberately set your dog onto a stray animal that comes onto your property. Interesting, eh? I have never heard of this being tested in court, but presumably it has been. Going forward from that the dog is now a sheep worrier and could no longer be sold as "livestock safe" so it's value is now diminished. Could one successfully sue the owner of the dead sheep for corrupting the dog?

I am told that this was the original purpose of the German shepherd in it's country of origin. Before the invention of wire fencing, trained dogs were used to stop free ranging cattle from straying into standing crops. That is certainly a reasonable story. Dogs can be highly territorial and there are some amusing videos on Youtube of them doing exactly this job!

 

[toquark]

I get asked all sorts of questions about dogs and Google usually comes up with an answer. So here's a new one on me! (Definitely asking for a 'friend'!).

Allegedly, it is legal (or a legal defence) if your dog, on it's own initiative, chases stray livestock off your own property. The courts apparently accept that it is in a dog's nature to protect it's home. What is not permitted is to deliberately set your dog onto a stray animal that comes onto your property. Interesting, eh? I have never heard of this being tested in court, but presumably it has been. Going forward from that the dog is now a sheep worrier and could no longer be sold as "livestock safe" so it's value is now diminished. Could one successfully sue the owner of the dead sheep for corrupting the dog?

I am told that this was the original purpose of the German shepherd in it's country of origin. Before the invention of wire fencing, trained dogs were used to stop free ranging cattle from straying into standing crops. That is certainly a reasonable story. Dogs can be highly territorial and there are some amusing videos on Youtube of them doing exactly this job!

Pretty hypothetical, I wouldnt imagine there will be many mature pet Fidos sold on full stop, let alone with a declaration of being "livestock safe" or otherwise.

It does seem to contradict somewhat the legislation surrounding hunting with dogs (in Scotland anyway). Perhaps it could be used as a hunting defense - there have been a few of those cases tested in recent years, I'd imagine this avenue would have been explored already from that angle.

I suppose in practical terms, if one of my sheep were to stray into a neighbour's garden and their dog attacked it, I wouldn't be calling for the destruction of the dog or the prosecution of the owner. The onus is on me to ensure they don't stray, not the owner of the dog (under control in their own property) to ensure it doesnt attack. If the dog were to stray into my field and attack however, different matter altogether.

 

[som farmer]

old coppers advice, first shoot, 2nd bury, 3rd say nothing, deny everything, and hope someone didn't see you.

but your sheep, on someone else's property, dog defending garden, perhaps, dog chasing in a field, you could say dog chased it into field, but agree, very grey area, could change if dog actually killed, or mauled the sheep, perhaps causing it to be shot, then you might regain the moral high ground. lnteresting point though.

 

[Dry Rot]

Pretty hypothetical, I wouldnt imagine there will be many mature pet Fidos sold on full stop, let alone with a declaration of being "livestock safe" or otherwise.

It does seem to contradict somewhat the legislation surrounding hunting with dogs (in Scotland anyway). Perhaps it could be used as a hunting defense - there have been a few of those cases tested in recent years, I'd imagine this avenue would have been explored already from that angle.

I suppose in practical terms, if one of my sheep were to stray into a neighbour's garden and their dog attacked it, I wouldn't be calling for the destruction of the dog or the prosecution of the owner. The onus is on me to ensure they don't stray, not the owner of the dog (under control in their own property) to ensure it doesnt attack. If the dog were to stray into my field and attack however, different matter altogether.

But it is an offence to set your dog on a sheep that is destroying your flower beds! Hunting with dogs act is an interesting angle I hadn't thought of!

 

[TheRanger]

Pretty hypothetical, I wouldnt imagine there will be many mature pet Fidos sold on full stop, let alone with a declaration of being "livestock safe" or otherwise.

It does seem to contradict somewhat the legislation surrounding hunting with dogs (in Scotland anyway). Perhaps it could be used as a hunting defense - there have been a few of those cases tested in recent years, I'd imagine this avenue would have been explored already from that angle.

I suppose in practical terms, if one of my sheep were to stray into a neighbour's garden and their dog attacked it, I wouldn't be calling for the destruction of the dog or the prosecution of the owner. The onus is on me to ensure they don't stray, not the owner of the dog (under control in their own property) to ensure it doesnt attack. If the dog were to stray into my field and attack however, different matter altogether.

In Scotland it is the householders responsibility to keep their property gated and secure from livestock entering from the public road. If the livestock entered their property through a shared boundary fence, then the title deeds may deem either party responsible depending how they were written.

 

[som farmer]

talking about stock and gardens, cousin was bringing his 200 cows down the road, 300 yards along a B road, houses each side, out 1 gate, 300yds, in another, usually no problem.

this day, they spooked, heading down to town centre, got in front, turned the whole lot into a bungalows garden, made a right old mess, got them out, and back to farm.

changed into smart clothes, and prepared to crawl.

owner said, don't worry, you did the right thing, its only a wrecked garden, if they had got into town, would have been much worse. We were insured, chap wasn't worried, so coz took him £750 in cash, reluctantly taken, chuffed with a bag of spuds though !

l am not that lucky.