FARMERS have every right to shoot dogs that are attacking their sheep, but I can't help feeling that even people like me (who though we let our dog off the lead and they behave impeccably) are being accused of being irresponsible.
Believe me, if owners are unsure how their dogs are going to behave around sheep, or if they fear their dogs are going to get excited and bark at sheep, then of course they should keep their pets on a lead.
As it happens our dog Holly only barks at people - especially if they are wearing fluorescent jackets, as is the case with postmen, workmen or policemen.
Farmers are usually safe!
However, I would like to point out that the dead sheep we found savaged to death a few years ago, were most likely the victims of a pack of stray village dogs.
We saw six fully grown ewes lying around with their throats and bellies ripped out. It was horrific!
They were being kept in a field close to the village of Cwm, so I presume some uncaring dog owners had just let their dogs roam free to form a pack and kill.
Farmer Bob Doyle, from Tyddyn Du Farm, Gerlan, near Bethesda,
pictured with a poster he designed to warn dog walkers of the
dangers of sheep worrying.
I believe most attacks happen this way. I often wonder if the owners were ever found and prosecuted.
When dogs are with their owners, there is at least some level of control. But like I said, if that owner is unsure about their pooch, then they should keep their dog securely on a lead.
The farmer who complained about killer dogs had every right to voice his concerns. More worrying (no pun intended) is the claim by farm unions that public access to upland will make the situation worse.
I know that most hill walkers don't even have a dog: those I've met that do, all seem very responsible.
Some farm and village dogs (not all) can go rogue, perhaps because they have such a hard life. They are also less likely to have been wormed.
But it was good to hear farmer Bob Doyle say that it was only a minority of dog owners that were irresponsible, and I can't blame him for being suspicious of us all, especially after finding one of his sheep with its poor face ripped off.
Hell, I would probably have shot the dog myself to stop the horrific attack, if I had witnessed it.
I have to say, I always feel sorry for sheep when they are being driven, even by trained sheep dogs.
The flock always look so terrified!
Mind you they have every reason to be, if they are being gathered for the market place or - worse - live exports!
JUST a footnote - please would upland farmers put some form of shelter up for ewes with lambs.
I took a picture the other day of lambs looking thoroughly miserable in the freezing icy north wind.
I know the odd farmer already provides a shelter for pregnant and lactating ewes, but March is a particularly cruel month for new-born lambs and it would be nice to see shelters for them.
