A furious farmer has issued a grave warning to ''careless'' dog owners that walk their animals on his land after a two-week-old lamb was viciously mauled to death. Stuart Alderson has now threatened to shoot any dogs that he sees running free on his farm following the attack on his livestock, the Daily Star reports.
He claims to have clear signs posted around his land, asking dog walkers to keep their pets on a leash but has been forced to inflict tighter measures surrounding the safety of his livestock after ignorant owners continue to ignore his request. Stuart adds that the problem is not just killing his current sheep but also means his expectant livestock are losing their babies.
“I had a two-week-old lamb that was killed by a dog and left to die by the dog owner," he explained. He adds, ''“I have signs everywhere telling dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead because it takes 12 months really to properly get a lamb on the ground.
''Then in 30 seconds of carelessness and selfishness, a lamb can be killed by owners who don’t put their dogs on leads.” The attack comes after a dog chased a flock of sheep into the water before "savaging" them on the farm during the first lockdown.
He added: “People are selfish and that is why it happens. Despite my best efforts, it is a continuing problem and people continue to be selfish so I will exercise my rights.
''If a dog looks threatening and it is off the lead then I will shoot it.” Stuart says he is constantly improving fences and security and also speaks to the owners about the fatal outcomes.
He said: “They always say, not my dog, my dog could never do that. I always hear the same story but at the end of the day, it is a dog with instinct. If it sees a sheep, it is likely it will chase it and if it’s a big dog it will do serious damage.”
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