With the peak summer holiday season underway, the National Sheep Association (NSA) is reminding holidaymakers to keep their dogs under control around livestock.

Off-lead dogs can pose a serious risk to grazing sheep, potentially leading to distressing incidents.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker said: “It is every dog’s instinct to chase, even if they are usually obedient. Chasing of sheep by dogs, termed ‘sheep worrying’ can do serious damage through stress and injury. Many sheep fleeing from dogs are often killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape. The loss of sheep can be deeply distressing to farmers causing ongoing worry and also significant financial losses.”

This summer’s fine weather may encourage more people to holiday in the UK with their dogs, raising concerns from the NSA about a potential rise in sheep worrying. Many visitors may be unfamiliar with local areas and unaware that livestock could be grazing nearby.

Mr Stocker continued: “Sheep farmers across the UK continue to be affected by attacks on their flocks sheep worrying attacks by dogs either left to run off lead or by dogs that have strayed from their homes or holiday accommodation.

“It is crucially important that dog owners must be aware of the serious issue of sheep worrying by dogs and take action to be a responsible dog owner whilst enjoying their holidays this summer.”

NSA is urging dog walkers to keep their pets on leads during walks through the countryside, no matter how obedient they consider their pet to be.

Mr Stocker added: “Please keep your dog on a lead whenever there is a chance sheep could be nearby and avoid walking closely to them if at all possible. You may not consider your dog capable of causing physical injury to another animal but barking and chasing are instinctive responses that will cause great stress to sheep and unfortunately in many cases this also leads to physical attacks causing pain and suffering and in the worst incidents even death.”

NSA is also highlighting the potential consequences for dog owners found to be responsible for an attack on livestock following progress with a long awaited amendment to legislation confirmed last week.

The updated legislation, now closer to becoming law, would give police stronger powers to tackle dog attacks on livestock.

NSA Policy Manager Nicola Noble explained: “The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill has now successfully passed its stage in the House of Commons.

“This bill enhances the authority of the police to act in cases of livestock worrying and also expands the range of locations where offences can occur to include roads and public paths, thereby offering increased protection to a wider range of animals across more areas.

“It is important for dog owners to know that the bill aims to increase the maximum penalty for a dog attack on livestock and so not only could their actions result in harm to animals attacked, in the near future it could also result in increased financial penalties for themselves.”