LIVESTOCK owners in South Tawton have expressed concerns that the welfare of their animals is being compromised by dogs on the loose on the common.

The South Tawton Commoners Association has said that the worrying of livestock, particularly sheep, by dogs has become a matter of increasing concern.

The secretary of the association, Lawrence Jones, said: ‘The welfare of grazing animals can be severely compromised by being chased by dogs. When animals, particularly sheep, are attacked, death can often result.

‘Furthermore, grazing patterns, so important on common land, can be severely disrupted. It must also be said that cattle and sheep owners end up suffering the financial consequences of this.’

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 says that if a dog worries sheep on agricultural land, the owner or the person in charge of the dogs is guilty of a criminal offence.

The act gives the term ‘worrying’ a wide meaning, including attacking livestock, chasing livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering to the livestock.

Mr Lawrence added: ‘The law allows livestock keepers to take measures to protect their livestock from worrying by dogs, including shooting offending dogs. I can assure you that our members have no wish to find themselves in a situation in which this is the only option available to them.

‘Although it is outside our remit, we are well aware that similar problems are occurring on private land within the parish, particularly where this is crossed by public footpaths.

‘Of equal concern is when dogs deposit excrement and it is not removed and disposed of correctly by the dog owner — there is a danger to both human and animal health.

‘So our plea to dog owners is to ensure that your dogs are under effective control at all times. Please remove their faeces and dispose of it correctly away from the common.’

Karla Mckechnie, of the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society, said: ‘The issue of livestock worrying is constantly growing.

‘There are too many incidents where livestock are attacked by dogs. I cannot stress enough, that when visiting Dartmoor, please keep your dog on a lead and under control.

‘It’s lambing season and foaling time and a lot of young stock are being born. In this hot weather these animals are particularly vulnerable, as they cannot run as fast and are just wanting to lay in the shade.

‘Animals used to be safe on Dartmoor and now they are not. Please keep your dog on a lead, and if something does happen, if your dog does attack an animal, then you must do the right thing and let somebody know. Please don’t just drive off with your dog, leaving the animal injured.’

If you witness an incident where a dog has injured another animal on the moor, contact Karla on 07873587561 or call the police.