The UK’s leading rural insurer NFU Mutual has today (Monday 21 June) revealed the estimated cost of dog attacks on farm animals in the first quarter of 2021 rose by a staggering 50%.

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A surge in lockdown pets and countryside visits, along with a lack of awareness about how dogs will behave around farm animals are believed to be driving the rise. There are growing concerns that out of control and escaped pets will continue to wreak havoc over the summer.

“NFU Mutual’s latest figures confirm the harrowing reports coming in from across the UK of livestock horrifically injured and killed by out of control dogs. The suffering to animals and the anxiety for farmers could be easily prevented if people kept their dogs on a lead when out in the countryside,” said Rebecca Davidson, Rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual.

The insurer reported that numbers started to rise sharply last year when farm animals worth an estimated £1.3m were savaged by dogs – an increase of over 10% on 2019.

According to NFU Mutual research with over 1,200 dog owners, 88% of people say they now walk their dog in the countryside. While 64% say they let their dog run free off the lead - half admit their pet doesn’t always come back when called.

“There’s a lack of awareness amongst dog owners about what their pets are capable of and our research found only 40% accepted their dog could injure or harm livestock. Even if a dog doesn’t make physical contact, the distress of the chase can also cause sheep to die, miscarry and separate lambs from their mothers. Farm animals are also being chased into danger – drowning in rivers, falling from cliffs and getting their necks trapped in fencing.”

Rebecca added: “We want people to enjoy the countryside and recognise its importance to our physical and mental wellbeing. We are urging people to be responsible and take the following advice:

• Always keep dogs on the lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept but let go of the lead if chased by cattle
• Be aware that even small dogs can chase, injure and kill farm animals
• Report attacks by dogs and sightings of dogs roaming the countryside to the police or local farmers
• Don’t let dogs loose and unsupervised in gardens adjoining livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and attack sheep grazing nearby

Advice on preventing dogs attacking livestock is available from NFU Mutual’s website:

www.nfumutual.co.uk/news-and-stories/preventing-dog-attacks-on-farm-animals/