Appeal for information after livestock worrying incident in Bordon

Appeal for information after livestock worrying incident in Bordon

Officers investigating a livestock worrying incident are appealing for information and to identify the owner of two dogs, after five sheep had to been put down in Bordon.

We received a report that on Monday 28 September, between 5:20pm and 6:00pm, two dogs entered a field opposite Hartleywood Farm on Hartley Lane and proceeded to chase and attack several sheep.

The dogs seriously injured five sheep, who had to be put to sleep.

The dogs, pictured in this CCTV image, are described as being of medium build with black fur and tan markings around their muzzle, legs and tail. Both dogs were wearing collars, with one wearing a distinctive, brightly coloured (possibly yellow) bow.

Officers would like to speak to the owner of the dogs, or to anyone from the local area who may know who the owner is.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 44260475459.

You can also make a report online at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or visit their website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

We urge dog owners to understand the law around livestock worrying, and the risks, to keep livestock and your pets safe.

Livestock worrying is when a dog attacks or chases livestock on agricultural land or is at large in a field with livestock, which can result in significant injury or suffering and in the worst cases, death of the animals involved. This also has devastating consequences for livestock keepers, causing personal distress as well as significant financial costs.

Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, it is a criminal offence for a dog to actively worry livestock and dog owners risk prosecution.

We recognise that the majority of dog owners walk their dogs in a responsible manner, but unfortunately there are a small minority whose recklessness puts the welfare of other animals at risk.

Some key points to bear in mind to help with the welfare of livestock and your dog:

It is so important to keep dogs either on leads or under close control around livestock.

If you are walking your dog in a field and there is no livestock, please keep the dog in sight at all times, be aware of what it is doing, and be confident it will return to you promptly on command. If you cannot be confident of this, the dog should not be off the lead.

Ensure the dog does not stray off the path or area where you have right of access.

It is a criminal offence for a dog to actively worry livestock. We want owners to be aware that in such instances, the owner or person in control of the dog can be prosecuted, and as a last resort the dog can be shot by the farmer to end an attack.

#HantsRural

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