Farmers Guardian/ National Sheep Association survey on sheep worrying

Farmers Guardian, in conjunction with the National Sheep Association, has launched a survey of dog owners to find out how their pets behave in the countryside and if they think they are a danger to livestock. The Countryside Alliance is pleased to support and promote this survey. Dog attacks on livestock cost British farmers millions of pounds, with the latest police data showing an increase in attacks year on year. At this time of year pregnant ewes are particularly vulnerable and in many cases abort their lambs or go into early labour when chased. FG's survey of dog owners hopes to find out how their pets behave in the countryside and if they think they are a danger to livestock. The survey takes less than a minute to complete so please share it.

The results will be published in the next few weeks.

To link directly to the survey please use the following link: http://www.farmersguardian.com/dogsurvey

For more on the impact of sheep worrying see FG's dedicated pages www.farmersguardian.com/sheepworrying

For the latest statistics visit:
http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/hot-topics/sheep-worrying/sheep-worrying-the-full-picture-from-2012/55131.article

739 − Dog attacks on livestock in 2012, (691 in 2011)

537 − Incidents of sheep being attacked and injured have leapt up from 301 in 2011 to 537 in 2012.

Farmers Guardian data retrieved from Freedom of Information requests to UK police forces.