A FARMER from Addingham is backing a campaign which calls for visitors to the countryside to keep their dogs under control. It’s a critical time for farmers as the spring lambing period is now well underway, meaning ewes and new born lambs are often grazing close to footpaths, which can put them at risk of dog attacks. Rural insurer NFU Mutual is concerned that the Easter break could see an influx of walkers unfamiliar with the Countryside Code and unaware of how their new dogs will behave around livestock. Martin Throup is a second-generation farmer whose family has been farming in Addingham for the last 45 years. His 900 sheep are kept across 650 acres, with footpaths across much of the land and a bridleway through the middle. While Martin says they didn’t used to suffer from dog attacks, it has become an increasing concern with incidents now happening a couple of times a year.
Farmers fear out of control dogs as visitors flock to countryside over Easter
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Some farms are suffering from multiple stolen working dogs, says rural insurer NFU Mutual
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NEW statistics released today by leading rural insurer NFU Mutual estimate the cost of dog attacks on livestock in Wales was nearly £165,000 last year – down a third on 2019’s total. Despite a welcome fall in the figures in Wales where police efforts and co-ordinated campaigns have helped change attitudes among dog owners, the UK saw a rise in cost of over 10 per cent. According to estimates based on claims reported to the insurer, farm animals worth £1.3m were savaged by dogs in the UK last year. A recent survey of dog owners commissioned by NFU Mutual reveals that 64 per cent of dog owners are letting their pets roam free in the countryside, despite half of owners surveyed admitting their dog doesn’t always come back when called.