Livestock worrying incident in Derbyshire leaves farmer footing bill just under £2,000

A livestock worrying incident has caused nearly £2,000 in damages to a farmer with lambs now left without their mothers.

Derbyshire Rural Crime Team said a farmer found four ewes which had been killed by a dog on his land at Hardy Barn Lane in Buxton.

The incident took place between April 15 and April 16 in a popular dog walking area, according to police. 

As a result of the incident, six lambs were left without a mother.

One of the six lambs later died following the attack.

With the loss of income to the business, alongside additional costs from disposal and hand rearing lambs formula milk, the farmer has been left footing a bill reaching £2,000.

Officers said the impact of livestock worrying offences cannot be under estimated, with 'significant financial losses, alongside the stress and upset caused to farmers and their families' from incidents.

Rural crime officers have released an appeal for further information and to remind owners of placing their dog on a lead near livestock.

Information can be passed to Crimestoppers by quoting crime number 24000238188.

Take the Lead

You can support Farmers Guardian's Take the Lead campaign, in association with the National Sheep Association, to raise awareness of keeping dogs on lead when near livestock.

We can provide you with free signs to place around your farm warning dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead near livestock.

To request yours, send a stamped self-addressed A4 envelope to: FG Take the Lead, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ.

We will be able to send up to 25 signs.

Alternatively, you can contact reporter Chris Brayford if you have been a victim of a livestock worrying incident and if you wish to share your story at [email protected]