Radio 2 - Farmers Shooting Dogs

Not going to be able to listen, but as I understand, they're entitled to do it by law. If my dog was loose in a field full of livestock I would fully expect him to be shot. I would just hope it would be quick and clean :(
That's living in the country for ya.
My dad has done it himself.
 
I fully understand the law but pretty horrific for the owners of the dog. I certainly wouldn't walk through fields with livestock in, not that my dog chases sheep or cows but I wouldn't want to give anyone the excuse.
 
Nickibelle said:
I fully understand the law but pretty horrific for the owners of the dog. I certainly wouldn't walk through fields with livestock in, not that my dog chases sheep or cows but I wouldn't want to give anyone the excuse.
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They should be more responsible then, it lies in their own hands, they only have themselves to blame.

Bit horrific for the sheep or cattle that get chased and maimed too let alone the loss of income for the farmer.
 
I just listened to this.
Stupid woman - the farmer wouldn't have shot them for no reason. I would fully expect my dog to be shot if he was bothering livestock (although I live on a farm so would be rather p***ed off he decided to!)

We have been driving in the park checking sheep before when we were waved down by a man saying a husky type dog had brought down a sheep. So we went looking for it. My OH would have been well within his rights to shoot it but the owner had managed to get it under control. If we had found it still on sheep and out of control it would have had to be shot.
Turns out the poor old man had dropped the lead and done his utmost to get it back but it was a young dog (and big). He had fallen over, lost the lead everything and was beside himself as it had killed the sheep.
Mistakes happen and when people have dogs that aren't used to livestock they can be unpredictable.

It is another story when people are b***dy idle and don't keep control of their animals. Why were their dogs not on leads, or at least within sight???? Out of sight = Out of control.

Terrible for the family to loose their pets - hard lesson learned!
 
I couldn't believe the guy who text in saying that the farmers enjoy shooting animals!! What on earth makes them think that when animal's are their income and life?!
 
It seems they weren't even on the footpath and the dogs were in a different field to the owner so they don't have a leg to stand on. Stupid people killed their own dogs by their irresponsible actions. When I had problems with my lurcher chasing sheep he simply wasn't allowed the opportunity to do so until we had him trained out of it
 
Have been listening and cant beleive that anyone would suggest that the farmer doesnt have the right to shoot a dog if it is worrying livestock. It is awful that the dogs were shot and they lost their lives because thier owners wouldnt keep them under control. I would never have my dog off lead if they were in or could easily gain access to a field with livestock or if his recall in those situations wasnt very good.

Farmers do a tough job and if people just used some common sense and took some responsibilty for their actions the dogs would probably not have been shot.
 
Argh, silly woman. I would be DEVASTATED if my dogs were shot by anyone. But I wouldn't allow my dogs roam off lead in a field of livestock, regardless of whether they were harrassing the sheep/cows or not. You just never know WHAT might happen, they ARE animals. In fact, I worry more about the dogs getting run over by a cow that might decide it doesn't like the look of a dog. But I was surprised that she didn't seem that upset. I don't think I could have done that interview without blubbing!
 
I can see both sides (shot me if you like);) if a dog is worrying sheep (shoot it) if a dog becomes estranged from an owner for what ever reason and is (lost/saundering) across a field through cattle, then is this still right to shoot the dog? IMO....No.
I would assume that like the cattle round here, they/most don't bat an eye at a dog passing them in a field (obs if they where antaganised) different matter.
The sheep round here are literally impossible to walk through, unlike cows fields there are no foot paths through their fields, they are usually fenced in somewhere you cannot get access.

I am aware you are going to get farmers that will do their upmost to maybe get hold of the dog if possible or control it/give the owner time to get control, but I'm sure there are some that literally get so peeved just at folk crossing the land they will shoot regardless.
I am also ware you get arse wipes that walk through fields with "out of control" dogs and even when warned/asked by the farmer/landowner to control the dog they give abusive/I don't give a toss replies!

Anyhow, it is very sad indeed for the dogs (I don't know the full circumstance) of the radio (I only caught the last part) so I am not sure if the dogs where chasing/worrying, I personally don't walk through cattle fields because I don't want to be stampeeded, dogs or no dogs:p
 
According to the farmer, he was saying that it was this particular couple with their four dogs that on numerous occasions roamed thru his fields. Most recently two older cows either aborted or died giving birth due to stress. Anyway, he said he'd told them to not walk with dogs loose on his land. There are signs saying "dogs on leads". They chose to ignore it and the dogs were in the field and owner no where to be found. They might not have been worrying the cows at that moment, but had done on previous times.

Jeremy asked the farmer whether he thought carefully before shooting them. Farmer said "Yes, I made sure I was close enough to do the job right!"

It was maybe a bit vindictive that on the occasion they were shot they weren't necessarily cattle worrying, but they had been seen to do it before....
 
PucciNPoni said:
Jeremy asked the farmer whether he thought carefully before shooting them. Farmer said "Yes, I made sure I was close enough to do the job right!"
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I have to say I did laugh at this. He sort of pondered for a moment, and I thought he was going to come up with something along the lines of 'I watched them for a while and tried to call them off the cattle'........hahahahahah
 
I didn't laugh as the subject matter made me sad, actually I thought it showed that the farmer was compassionate enough to give the dogs a decent quick end. I hope to goodness they knew nothing about it and didn't suffer.
 
I sympathise with the farmers with out of control dogs but I do think some are trigger happy. There is a world of difference between dogs running through a field and being chased by cattle and dogs actually chasing cattle. In the melee it could look like the dog had chased the cattle when it was the other way round and because of the death and injury of people walking dogs people are advised to let their dogs off lead. Common sense dictates that you dont walk through fields of cattle or sheep but this is not always possible.

I must admit I walk through fields of cattle its our fields we have just rented the grass keep but my dogs are not interested in the cattle and if the cattle chased them they are more than capable of getting out the way.
 
I would be miffed if a farmer shot a dog that was loose, as in wandering but not pestering livestock. Sometimes dogs get out, especially if they are canny like terriers. Our dog has never been a livestock worrier, but in his younger days was a b*gger for running off (was better after castration :rolleyes: )

But absolutely, if they are chasing cattle then the owners should be aware of the risks. But then maybe people need to be aware of how to train your dog properly, one farmer near me will put a sheep worrying dog in a pen with a opinionated sheep, and he seems to think it cures them.
 
I cant comment on the programme as I didnt hear it, but the dog that did this to our sheep (we lost 4, several aborted and several had to be stitched) needed to be shot, unfortunately we werent quick enough to catch it or its owner.
We have had 2 more fatal dog attacks since this one, and I wouldnt hesitate to shoot any dog I see in any of our flocks, weather it was running them or not.
Legally you have to fire a warning shot into the air before shooting the dog (unless it actually has hold of the sheep/other livestock) and sometimes that is enough to spook the dog off.

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Hi I didn't hear Jeremy Vine today but a quick question-are horses classed as livestock and if so are we entitled to shoot if a dog attacked a horse? I don't intend to shoot any dogs but I have heard some awful stories of dogs attacking horses and just wondered hypothetically what the law was.

God knows how you would without risking shooting your horse though :eek:
 
I didn't listen to the program but if Yellow Dog so much as looked at a sheep he got a telling off, same as Bear before him. Even then I keep him on a lead after being threatened with a shotgun (farmer well known for being aggressive, not quite sure hes 'all there'). As far as Im concerned its part of being a responsible owner and it really irritates me when people just don't care/think :mad:
 
Didn't hear the programme as by that time mum and I weren't still in the car. But it sounded from how he said what was coming up that the woman was walking her dogs off the lead but they were with her and not bothering the livestock, was that the case?

I didn't think you could legally just shoot - thought they had to actually be bothering livestock before you could shoot.

I can't understand why you would ignore signs that ask your dog to be on a lead though, that's just stupid.
 
BBC iPlayer Radio 2 Jeremy Vine show will repeat it sometime.

I was LMAO at some of the idiots calling in of the opinion that there should have been signs put up by the farmer. This after the dogs' owner admitted there were signs to keep dogs on leads and that the dogs were out of sight of her husband who was walking them.

Worrying includes direct attacks but encompasses scaring or chasing too. The farmer was right to protect his cattle & livelihood.

I wonder;- if these dogs had been hit by a car on a road would the owners consider that not their fault?
 
Rosehip said:
I cant comment on the programme as I didnt hear it, but the dog that did this to our sheep (we lost 4, several aborted and several had to be stitched) needed to be shot, unfortunately we werent quick enough to catch it or its owner.
We have had 2 more fatal dog attacks since this one, and I wouldnt hesitate to shoot any dog I see in any of our flocks, weather it was running them or not.
Legally you have to fire a warning shot into the air before shooting the dog (unless it actually has hold of the sheep/other livestock) and sometimes that is enough to spook the dog off.

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Horrific injuries:(
And very interesting re the warning SHOT.....I assume this farmer did not fire a warning shot:confused: (as in the jeremy vine radio) as the owners where I understand near by but out of sight.
 
mcrobbiena said:
Hi I didn't hear Jeremy Vine today but a quick question-are horses classed as livestock and if so are we entitled to shoot if a dog attacked a horse? I don't intend to shoot any dogs but I have heard some awful stories of dogs attacking horses and just wondered hypothetically what the law was.

God knows how you would without risking shooting your horse though :eek:
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No. Horses are not classed as livestock & owners are not legally allowed to shoot dogs in order to protect them.

Being an owner of both livestock & dogs, I have a foot in both camps.

I owned a rescue collie for a while, who used to round up animals (sheep, cattle, horses - whatever was available). He was never aggressive towards them & never physically touched them, but I could not ensure complete control (he was strong enough to pull me off my feet a couple of times). I couldn't resolve the training issue so I was forced to hand him back. I wouldn't have blamed any of the local farmers if they felt the need to shoot him, although I would have been heartbroken. Luckily it never came to that.

I now have a 2 year old lab. He has been brought up with our animals & doesn't bat an eyelid at them (although gets confused with the free range chickens & ducks sometimes & does try to move them back to their respective houses if they wander too far). I walk through our fields of animals every day with him off lead, no bother at all. However, I wouldn't dream of walking through other people's livestock with Dylan off lead. He is used to seeing our animals in our fields & our animals are used to seeing him & do not feel threatened, so do not react. Therein lies one of the biggest issues if you ask me.

Just because your dog is OK with livestock, it doesn't mean that all livestock are used to dogs. Some will be scared & some will want to investigate. If a flock of sheep suddenly took off at the sight of Dylan I couldn't be sure that he wouldn't give chase or that I could 100% call him off immediately, so I don't risk it.

As I understand it, a farmer has the right to shoot any dog not under control which is in with their livestock, whether they are chasing/attacking or not. No warning shot required. If the owner is not in sight the dog could not possibly be deemed to be under control. I personally wouldn't take that view, but then I haven't had any problems with dogs or owners on our land. If i had previously lost animals/pregnancies to dogs I wouldn't be quite so understanding.
 
Horses ARE livestock for the purposes of the Animals Act 1971;-

11 General interpretation.

In this Act—
“common land”, and “town or village green” have the same meanings as in the M4Commons Registration Act 1965;
“damage” includes the death of, or injury to, any person (including any disease and any impairment of physical or mental condition);
“fault” has the same meaning as in the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945;
“fencing” includes the construction of any obstacle designed to prevent animals from straying;
“livestock” means cattle, horses, asses, mules, hinnies, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry, and also deer not in the wild state and, in sections 3 and 9, also, while in captivity, pheasants, partridges and grouse;
“poultry” means the domestic varieties of the following, that is to say, fowls, turkeys, geese, ducks, guinea-fowls, pigeons, peacocks and quails; and
“species” includes sub-species and variety.
 
I don't mind admitting this but I've lost B twice in the woods, beyond the woods are fields full of sheep. On both occasions he was gone for 15-20 mins (it seemed like hours), and on both occasions, if it had gone to 30 minutes I would have called my neighbour, who owns the fields, told him to get in his pickup, drive around, keep an eye out and do what he had to do.
I adore my dogs but the sheep is king around here, it is people's bread and butter and their livelihoods. It was MY responsibility to keep my dog on a lead and under control and I failed on both those occasions. Had he copped it, it would have been my fault.
When a visitor let our old bitch get away from her, again, he was one of the first people we called.
Luckily B came back lame, full of burrs but with no incriminating signs! The bitch came back too after four days but we suspect she had been inside somewhere, she was bone dry and fat as a fool, unlike us when we had been out looking for her!!!

I reiterate - quick and clean if you must. Guy at our club found his bitch on his doorstep with a hole in her head, he hadn't even been aware she had been out, she had dragged herself home :(
 
Wow, I didn't know it happened so frequently! I was lucky with my doggie when she ran away (Not from me or my house)
She'd gone to stay with her ex owner for the day and I completely trusted she would be ok! Not the case. She had been left alone and escaped. She could have been hit by a car, chased the sheep or anything! Luckily a neighbour found her and brought her home.

Another man in the village was also lucky, he let his dog run free, chasing sheep AND 2 swans we were trying to catch!! (They were being rescued :P We had permission)
 
God, I would be mortified if any of my dogs were shot just for being in a field yet I can understand why a farmer would feel the need to shoot them. We often have had the neighbouring farmer's sheep in our field for a few weeks in the summer over the years and it is quite handy then to train our dogs to NOT chase them. However, I have been in the situation with a new rescue dog who would just go into the 'zone' and just go (she was a long legged lab) and she once chased young bullocks/heifers (can't remember what they were) in our back field. It was terrifying as there was no way i could catch her and a she was ignoring my screams and shouts. Thankfully i did manage to get her and no damage was done as thankfully they were not cows in calf or anything but I can see 100% why a farmer would feel the need to shoot a dog in that situation.

Our current dod will actuallu run at and growl at the lambs on the fields that run along the track to our stables. However, she is the biggest wuss and would not dare do that if she was in the field with them. I think she feels protected by the fence as I think really she finds sheep pretty scary (she's a GSD x!). She does get a telling off every time but I guess she thinks it's a game. I am still wary though if I ever walk through a field with sheep in (not so much cattle as the dogs do all they can to avoid going near them! Lol) I do make sure the dogs are close to and/or on the lead as although i am 99% sure they wouldn't chase them, that 1% of unknown is all it could take for them to be shot.
 
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