Dog attacks now reported on nine out of 10 sheep flocks

Ignorant owners stubbornly refuse to control pets

Almost nine out of 10 sheep flocks have been subjected to a dog attack within the last 12 months, suggests a survey.

An ongoing failure of UK dog owners to recognise the threat their pet animals pose to farm livestock continues to devastate flocks across the country, says the National Sheep Association (NSA).

The findings were published to coincide with the NSA’s annual Sheep Worrying by Dogs Awareness Week. Many dog owners refuse to accept their pets are capable of attacking sheep – and let them run free.

Some 87% of farmers responding to the survey said they had experienced a dog attack on their sheep in the last 12 months. The cause was mostly identified as the simple refusal of dog owners to keep their pet on a lead in the countryside.

NSA project manager Nicola Noble said: “Dog owners often assume their beloved pet could not be capable of causing harm to other animals, yet it is an instinctive response of a dog to chase, and for some, attack prey animals such as sheep.

“Barking, chasing and physical attacks can all have devastating effects on sheep, especially at this time of the year when so many sheep in the fields are heavily pregnant or have young, vulnerable lambs at foot.”

Sobering statistics

Released last month the 2025 survey results include some sobering statistics. Despite continued work by the NSA and other organisations, dogs are being allowed off leads near sheep – with deadly and distressing consequences.

Farmers responding to the survey reported an average of four sheep deaths per year due to sheep worrying by dogs. This does not take into account additional losses from lamb deaths when miscarried by ewes due to stress from attacks.

As well as sheep deaths, extreme injuries will often cause long term pain and suffering for animals and financial loss to farmers with increased vet bills and a reduced number of stock available to sell.

A high proportion (80%) of survey respondents also reported a negative experience when approaching dog owners to ask for their dog to be put on a lead with just under half receiving verbal and, in some cases, even physical abuse.

Dogs straying from homes and gardens is also identified as a frequent cause of attacks on sheep. Some 43% of survey respondents found evidence of a sheep worrying incident rather than the attack being witnessed in person.

This could indicate straying dogs to be the cause, or a failure of dog owners to confess attacks happening. Such cases make it difficult for farmers to pursue compensation, adding to their frustration and financial losses.

Over half the respondents also reported that attacks happened in private fields with no footpaths also suggesting straying dogs or a failure of dog owners to respect private farmland.

Almost half of respondents said they didn’t pursue compensation, feeling helpless when cases were reported to the police. Despite this, the NSA urges farmers to report all cases to raise awareness of the issue.

New additive for multi-cut silage

A new silage preservative has been launched to meet the demands of multi-cut grass systems – and ease the pressure on growers.

MultiMax is a  preservative-based additive which has been formulated to wipe out spoilage bacteria which can be prevalent in silage harvested in the tight weather windows which are often a feature of multi-cut grass.

Both soil contamination and slurry residues can be a concern when silage is cut against the clock. This is especially so with pressure to achieve more cuts and to maximise the energy, digestibility and quantity of conserved grass.

Limitations on wilting can also be a feature of multi-cut grass so the product has been formulated to preserve forages whose dry matter may be lower than desirable, running from the low 20s to a maximum of 35%.

This also makes the product particularly suitable for diverse grass leys, whose variability of species may lead to uneven wilting and patches within the swath which remain at a somewhat lower dry matter than the average.