I would also have thought reporting this type of threat to the appropriate authorities would do no harm and could only be for the wider good.


Quote Originally Posted by helix View Post

I actually believe that farmers should be able to shoot dogs that are genuinely causing distress to their livestock. Unfortunately peoples interpretation of where the line is differs.
I agree in general and I have seen at first hand the results of loose, out of control dog on a flock of sheep. Not pretty. However, where that line falls is always going to be a matter of interpretation.
I know of farmers who have erected signs stating all dogs to be kept on a lead. I'm not sure how enforcible this is as the law states the animal has to be under close control which does not always necessitate a lead. Physical injury does not have to be caused to livestock - the farmer only needs to have reasonable grounds to think that the risk is imminent and unpreventable by other means. At this time of year, just chasing a pregnant ewe could lead to abortion so its easy to see how this could easily escalate. Also, because of the rural nature of these incidents you could end up in a situation where it is just the farmer's word against your own and at the end of the day its your dog that's at risk. Personally if it came to it I would put a lead on first and argue the toss later.