Sheep Worrying Conviction

Sprig

Member
Has anyone been successful in securing a conviction for sheep worrying? Google isn't bringing up many success stories. On Friday our neighbour's dog (gsd) jumped their fence in to our neighbouring field which contained 2 of our ram lambs (thankfully not our ewes). I heard barking and went out and found 1 x lamb and the dog in the stream. Lamb 2 nowhere to be seen, I thought that we were going to find him drowned in the stream. Luckily we found him about an hour later, 2 fields away in with our ewes. He had been bitten underneath.
I caught the dog and returned it to the owner who then refused to come and help look for the sheep because she was 'too upset' because I shouted and swore at her! Apparently it was my fault for putting sheep next to their house. I have a text message trail where it is clear that they are admitting it happened. Dog has form for not being under control. It has run out and chased me down the road on my horse and done the same to a runner. No apologies either time.
I have reported to the police and told them I want the owners convicted. The PC I have been allocated seems pretty hopeless. Currently in the process of writing up my statement. Neighbours are yet to be spoken to by the police. We have a good local rural crime team. Apparently they will be informed but will not get involved as they deal with 'higher profile ' incidents. I will contact them directly if I have no joy progressing this with my local PC. No great financial loss for us but it is the principle. It could have been a lot worse and I want to be sure it doesn't happen again. The injured lamb was bitten on his penis so no good for breeding now, so I will be seeking compensation for loss of value. No vets bills, as yet, it has been ok with just a clean up and we are keeping an eye on him, in case of infection.

I generally don't put stock behind the neighbour's house for exactly this reason but annoyingly it is our only field with permanent fencing so the ram lambs do need to be there at this time of year. Luckily I text the neighbours informing them the sheep were in there when I moved them in a few weeks ago. All screen shot and sent to the police. Any tips? Has anyone been through similar? It's the lack of apology/willingness to admit fault that gets me. I would be mortified if my dog did that and would be going out of my way to make amends.
 

idgni

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Armagh
I have had the same twice unfortunately.
don’t back down as the same bad feelings will exists with or without being compensated .
Do they own their house? If so it’s likely insured.
The dog will be covered under their house insurance .

notify the police and get a crime number,
Send them an invoice for the total loss incurred, vets meds and also including future breeding value loss etc and replacement costs.
( you may need to get and independent valuation done for this but can also include the cost of this )
Send it to them and tell them it’s time they were talking to their insurance company .
 

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
Google search brings up quite a few stories of dog owners being convicted over sheep worrying, one case where they dna'd the dog against saliva on a dead sheep to secure the conviction. Tbh compensation is the best route and warn them the dog will be shot next time.
 

Bald n Grumpy

Member
Livestock Farmer
Should have got the vet out even if you think it wasn't needed. When you go for compensation the value of the lamb is not the point it is the potential for the following years that counts and is much higher.
Read somewhere a few years ago that someone not getting much joy With the police contacted the NSA and they got onto the force dealing with it and reminded them what a serious crime sheep worrying is.
 

Highland Mule

Member
Livestock Farmer
I have managed to get a dog worrier prosecuted,the dog was caught in the act ,I had an independent witness and the police were here within 15 minutes of being called. £200 fine and a warning from the sheriff.

Not really enough though, is it? Barely would cover your time to sort out, far less any vet bills/ animal diminished value. I note that the Scottish Govt has increased the penalty for such events, just need to hope that the fiscal/ CPS has the motivation to push it to the courts.
 

Sprig

Member
I have managed to get a dog worrier prosecuted,the dog was caught in the act ,I had an independent witness and the police were here within 15 minutes of being called. £200 fine and a warning from the sheriff.
That's promising, thanks. I see you are in Scotland. I understand that you now have v high fines available to prosecutors in sheep worrying cases. I don't have an independent witness but the text message trail will stop them denying it happened.
 

Sprig

Member
Should have got the vet out even if you think it wasn't needed. When you go for compensation the value of the lamb is not the point it is the potential for the following years that counts and is much higher.
Read somewhere a few years ago that someone not getting much joy With the police contacted the NSA and they got onto the force dealing with it and reminded them what a serious crime sheep worrying is.
You are right, I should have done. Sods law, it happened on Friday just before it got dark and I had a weekend of commitments I didn't really want to move for a vet visit I didn't think I needed (much as I would have liked to pass on the bill for an out of hours vet call out). Thank re: the NSa, top tip.
 

Sprig

Member
Talk to someone at National Sheep Association , they will be keen to help and will know the form
Thanks Tim. I will definitely make contact with the NSA. You are not far from us. Do you have any contacts in the Rural Crime team around here, in case I need to call on them?
 

JSmith

Member
Livestock Farmer
I had exactly this, neighbours dog got in three times, no physical damage but the upsets enough, bloke wasn’t really interested, arrogant fecker!! Third time I dragged the dog back I told him in no uncertain terms I’d shoot it next time, no questions!!! Police are useless, not had any trouble since
 

Highland Mule

Member
Livestock Farmer
I had exactly this, neighbours dog got in three times, no physical damage but the upsets enough, bloke wasn’t really interested, arrogant fecker!! Third time I dragged the dog back I told him in no uncertain terms I’d shoot it next time, no questions!!! Police are useless, not had any trouble since

If i's in the same 'enclosure' as the sheep, it's worrying them. if it won't recall, your only way to stop the worrying is to stop the dog.

Remember the 3 'S'.
 

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