Egerton farmer's warning to dog owners during lambing season

Sophie Royle – who looks after a small number of sheep on farmland in Egerton - says the risk of dog attacks increases during this season, but  sheep are at risk of being killed is all year round.

But during lambing season there is an even bigger risk, due to the added stress that the pregnant sheep are under.

As a dog owner herself, she said that she understands wanting to let dogs run free, but that “it is not worth the risk” to have dogs off their leads near sheep.

• ALSO READ: Sheep attacked by dogs as Bolton rescue team give warning
• Sheep put down after dog attack

Sophie  said: “There are a few misconceptions with people who walk their dogs on the countryside.

“Some say that there dogs are really well behaved around sheep, and they are never a problem, or that their dog is too small to hurt the sheep.

“But it doesn’t matter because even if the sheep sees the dog, even if they are near their owner, this can really stress the sheep out.”

Farmers are also not getting too close to the sheep because they don’t want to add to the stress either.

• ALSO READ: Bolton: Sheep on the loose causes mayhem

Sophie also explained that a loose dog could accidentally disrupt a birth and cause the lamb to die.

She added: “Dogs can pick up the scent of afterbirth and if they're off leads they can go and find it pretty quickly, which could disrupt a very recent lambing and cause stress and fatalities.

"We don't go around scooping up the afterbirth because sheep sometimes eat it because of the nutrients.

"Sheep emit water bags and then lambs wrapped in a gooey bag, followed by afterbirth which has a strong smell for dogs.

“Dogs can pick up the scent of afterbirth and if they're off leads they can go and find it pretty quickly, which could disrupt a very recent lambing and cause stress and fatalities. We don't go around scooping up the afterbirth because sheep sometimes eat it because of the nutrients.

“The scent of fresh after birth will attract your dog and that's not a smell you want to bring into your home.”

• ALSO READ: Ainsworth farmer's threat as lamb savaged by dog

Sophie said farmers  work hard all year round making sure that the ewes are in the best of health, and says it’s not just about the financial impact, but the rare sheep that are bred and those that are killed or severely injured.

She said: “We really put in so much work to look after the animals, and some think that the sheep are just going to die anyway, so what would be the difference?

“But not every one of our sheep goes to the slaughterhouse.

“Sheep will also suffer so much until being put to sleep when their heads are torn or they are attacked.

“The welfare of the sheep is highly regarded, and would you be able to replace your dog? Farmers often have favourite sheep.”

Sophie said that during lambing, people should use the adjacent footpath next to the field, where possible, but she says they will continue improving the ground so that it is less muddy and overgrown.

She said: "We love community involvement with our little farm and if you walk that way, you've probably met some of our very friendly sheep.

"Please work with us to keep our area nice and safe for all who inhabit it."

It is not the first time that concerns were raised around sheep being scared by dogs, in May 2021 Bolton's Mountain Rescue Team issued a warning after managing to save two sheep.

The farmyard animals had become stuck in a gully after being spooked by nearby dogs.

The team were contacted by a local farmer, who had noticed his sheep were stuck.

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