Taking the worry out of dog worrying for sheep

By CHARLOTTE DEBBAUT Veterinary surgeon at Synergy Farm Health

Dog worrying is unfortunately a year-round problem for those looking after sheep flocks. Incidents result in losses not only due to the actual physical attack, but also due to stress experienced by the sheep when chased. This time of year, the effects are even more profound, with worrying stress causing pregnant ewes to abort and freshly lambed ewes to mis-mother or abandon their lambs.

Damage to fencing by fleeing sheep is another potential cost. Importantly, seeing the effects of worrying can have a profound effect on the farmer’s mental health. The NSA’s annual sheep worrying survey 2022 reported that most respondents feel problems have increased since the covid pandemic, with the majority experiencing multiple attacks per year. What can you do to reduce the risk of worrying taking