DOG owners who allow their pets to chase sheep during the lambing season have been warned that they could face severe penalties and claims for compensation from farmers.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DEFA) has issued its annual statement today, saying that legal proceedings could be taken against people who do not exercise “adequate control of dogs”.
“This is a year-round concern but is of particular importance during the lambing months of March to May,” said today’s statement. “This is also a time when disturbance to wildlife can severely upset the success of the breeding season and dogs can be a significant threat, in particular to ground-nesting birds several species of which are also found in the Manx uplands.”
Complaints have been received in the past about dog owners who allow their animals off the lead on government-owned hill lands and near farmland.
Chairman of the Forestry, Amenity and Lands Directorate, Tim Crookall MHK, said, “Many people don’t realise that any dog, regardless of breed, size or temperament, is capable of causing considerable injury and death to pregnant ewes and ewes with lambs.
“Footpaths across the uplands obviously bring walkers and dogs in close proximity to sheep. Problems have also occurred in the past where uncontrolled dogs have chased sheep on adjacent farmland whilst being walked in plantations.”
Legal proceedings can be taken against people who do not exercise adequate control of dogs. In the event of a prosecution arising from sheep-worrying or other damage or nuisance, or damage to wild birds, their nests or eggs, or disturbance whilst nesting, severe penalties may be imposed together with compensation claims.
