Ainsworth farmer pleads for people to keep dogs on lead when near livestock

DOG walkers are being urged to keep their pets under control while walking in the countryside after two sheep were savaged in an attack.

Ainsworth farmer Stuart Alderson says one of his prized ewes ­had part of her face ripped off by the dog and may not survive.

This is not the first time Paddock Leach Farm's livestock has been mauled, with some animals having to be put down.

The latest attack took place on Thursday, when a dog went for the grazing animals.

Stuart said: "The dog just went after the flock, I was in one of the farm buildings and when I got there the ewe had been savaged.

"When I got there she wasn't breathing and was in shock.

"Her lip has completely gone and now there is an open wound she will now struggle to eat, she could still die."

Stuart Alderson with the ewe which has been attacked

Mr Alderson has had the ewe for three years and was one of his prized livestock, with the right pedigree and ready to breed this season.

"In just minutes that has all gone, " said Mr Alderson, who is keeping the sheep in the barn with lambs and hoping she recovers.

The other sheep also suffered facial injuries in the attack.

The farmer says with the restrictions, more and more people are taking up walking.

He said: "It is a double edged sword, because they see what I sell, but then we have some people who not used to the countryside.

"It is an instinct with dogs, some think they are playing with the sheep but that could cause them to lose lambs and then my sheep has been savaged. Sheep worrying is a bad term.

Stuart added: "Most of the people understand to keep their dog on a lead near livestock, it is the just the minority."

He said that dog owner had offered to recompense him following the attack, but added it is hard to put a cost on the loss or injured livestock because of the lambs it would produce.

Stuart Alderson of Paddock Leach Farm in Ainsworth with Dorothy one of his sheep that was attacked by two dogs.

In 2018, one of the ewes, named Dorothy, was one of five sheep attacked by a dog and her life hung in the balance. Miraculously she made a recovery and gave birth to lambs.

Mr Alderson urged people enjoying the countryside to look up and abide by the countryside code.

He said: "I get the same excuses  everytime - people saying they didn't know there were sheep there, even though I have signs everywhere and I didn't think my dog would do that."

Stuart said people have left gates open and farmers have found garden trimmings in their fields, which can poisonous to animals.

Litter can be fatal to lambs who will ingest it.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said they had received a report of the attack but declined to give any further information on the incident and the investigation.

But local police officers  urged people to keep to the countryside code by putting dogs on leads,  as it is now lambing season. 

Nationally sheep farmers are reporting an 'alarming' increase in dog attacks on their flocks in recent weeks, most likely linked to continuing Covid-19 restrictions pushing the public out into the countryside.

National Sheep Assocation chief executive Phil Stocker said: “It must be stressed to owners who allow their dogs to chase, attack and potentially kill livestock that it is a criminal act – and for very good reason. Few people would understand the stress and anger that a farmer or shepherd goes through by finding a dog attacking and killing sheep.