A BARNARD Castle farmer is calling on pet owners to be more responsible after a third incident of sheep worrying in his field this year.
A mule ewe belonging to Rob Wilkinson, of Main Home Farm, had its ear bitten off and was left severely traumatised after being attacked by a dog on Thursday last week.
Police are investigating the incident.
Mr Wilkinson said a woman had alerted him to the attack after she became concerned when she saw a man wading across the River Tees. On closer inspection she saw the ewe being attacked on the opposite side of the river.
Mr Wilkinson said the woman was sure the man was the dog’s owner because she saw him slap the animal and shout at it when he crossed the river.
He said it was apparent the sheep had been chased across the river by the dog.
The farmer flagged down a police officer before rescuing the ewe which included pushing it up a 20ft crag where it was grabbed by the policeman. He said people frequently bring their dogs along the pathway that runs through his field.
He added: “People just seem to allow their dogs to run around like it is a park. It’s a farmer’s field it isn’t a park. You don’t mind people who keep their dogs on a lead.
“How many times do people have to be told to keep dogs on leads when there is livestock in the fields?
“Thank you to the kind member of the public who informed me and to those responsible dog owners who always keep me informed of any problems.”
In another incident in May a local contractor video recorded how a woman seemed not to care how her dogs traumatised Mr Wilkinson’s sheep in the field.
Mr Wilkinson said he had wasted two hours of his day sorting out the problem and had been taken away from milking cows.
A police spokesperson said: “If you’re out enjoying a walk in the countryside with your dog please make sure your four legged friend is under control. We have had a few reports of dogs chasing sheep in the area. There is an offence of livestock worrying.”
