AS part of ongoing work to highlight the serious issue of sheep worrying by dogs, the National Sheep Association (NSA) this week launched its annual survey on the topic.

It hopes to gain an up to date insight on its continued severity and impact on the UK sheep industry.

For the past 10 years, it has gathered data from UK sheep farmers on sheep worrying and used it to continue to raise awareness of such incidents and find ways of improving education, guidance and co-operation.

It hopes UK sheep farmers will contribute to the survey which is remain open from now until Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The survey can be completed on the NSA website by visiting www.sheepworrying.org.uk

NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker, commented: “Sheep farmers across the UK nations are regularly faced with the dreadful consequences of sheep worrying by dogs. Attacks not only compromise animal welfare but also cause great stress, anxiety and financial loss to farmers themselves.

“We urge anyone previously affected by this issue to complete this year’s survey. Your contribution helps to create a more accurate representation on the intensity of the issue, critical for NSA when working towards increased understanding of the problem, whether that be from the UK’s dog loving public or the UK Government that decides what legislation regulates the act and punishes those found guilty of allowing attacks to happen.”