Sheep at Holywell Pond. Image by: Alan Watson.
Another reserve, another dog attack
Northumberland Wildlife Trust is renewing its call to all dog walkers to keep their dogs under control when on its reserves, in an attempt to protect grazing animals and wildlife.
The plea comes after yet another dog attack on one of its Manx loaghtan sheep, grazing on its Holywell Pond reserve in North Tyneside. Sheep were previously injured on the site in 2014, when either vandals or dog walkers cut the fence.
Last November, two Shetland and two Swaledale sheep were injured or killed on the wildlife charity’s East Chevington reserve on Druridge Bay.
Speaking about the attacks, Duncan Hutt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Head of Conservation and Living Landscape says: “We’re putting out a call to all dog walkers using our reserves to keep their dogs under control and for everybody to be vigilant for any out of control dogs to prevent unnecessary suffering to the Flexigraze flock.”
It is worth remembering that if a dog is seen worry livestock, the landowner can legally destroy it.