A sheep was seriously hurt in a dog attack at Osmotherley. Two dogs were seen running loose, causing chaos among the livestock.
A bystander tried to help by scaring off the dog with a stick. This incident happened around noon on Sunday, January 26. North Yorkshire Police is now looking into the matter. They want the dog owner and any witnesses to come forward.
If you have information, you can email Chloe Nixon-Longstaff at North Yorkshire Police or call 101. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously. Please mention reference number 12250015506 when you reach out.
The police have shared some tips for dog owners. They remind everyone that many sheep are pregnant this time of year. Even if a dog doesn’t touch them, chasing can cause serious stress.
Here are some important points: Always check for livestock before letting your dog off-lead. It’s the law to keep dogs under control around animals. Be extra careful during lambing season and keep dogs on a lead.
Also, don’t let people who aren’t confident handle your dog. Remember, a field can have no livestock one day and be full the next. If you live near farms, make sure your dog can’t escape onto their land.
Lastly, farmers can legally shoot dogs that attack livestock. The police remind dog owners that keeping dogs on a lead around livestock is crucial, as sheep worrying is a criminal offense.