Police have warned the public it is an offence to ‘worry livestock’ and the farmer has the power to shoot or injure a dog to protect stock after two cow chasing incidents in the South West.
Two sheep have died, with 20 left seriously injured, in a dog attack on a sheep flock in Essex, prompting an NFU appeal to dog owners.
Using DNA to identify rogue dogs worrying sheep is being considered in a major crackdown to protect moorland flocks.
Dog attacks on farm animals have cost the UK agricultural sector £1.2 million, according to a report by NFU Mutual.