We can't keep treating the countryside as a museum as sheep worrying continues to be swept under the carpet - Sarah Todd

The red-headed gene took over and the phone was put down in frustration.

So it came as no surprise to learn that farmers feel sheep worrying “continues to be swept under the carpet” by the authorities.

Yesterday the National Sheep Association published its annual survey into the issue.

Of more than 300 sheep farmers asked, 70 per cent had experienced a sheep worrying attack in the past 12 months. On average, three sheep deaths were reported each year per farmer as a result of dog attacks. This, of course, doesn’t take into account other losses such as miscarriage brought on by dogs.

Farmers fear increased powers and fines in the new Kept Animals Bill don’t go far enough to be a serious deterrent.

The bill does not require dogs to be on leads when in fields with sheep and there is a suggestion that the maximum fines for those found guilty are limited to £1,000.

This compares to a recent change of legislation in Scotland that has seen the same crime punishable with up to a £40,000 fine or prison sentence.

Easy to tell whereabouts in the UK takes the countryside seriously.

Raising heads above the parapet and reporting crimes such as trespassing and sheep worrying are easier said than done. Yes, there is the actual practical part of getting through to a human being to alert officers to a crime. But then there is the fear of any reprisal and the risk of trial by social media.

Gone are the days of farmers being able to tell trespassers to get off their land in no uncertain terms. To do this, runs the risk of having a mobile phone shoved in their face and the exchange being posted online. No shame from the trespasser about actually being in the wrong; they’ll be looking for sympathy for their trauma.

It’s hard not to marvel at the army of people who still volunteer for the roles that underpin the very fabric of our countryside. The organisers and stewards of countless country shows and village fetes spring to mind.

In this day and age rather than silently bearing a grudge, disgruntled competitors often vent their fury at a judge’s decision online. It’s the same for volunteer helpers at amateur sports matches.

Our only experience is horse classes at country shows. We have come home a bit disappointed before, but always accepted the old adage that the judge’s decision is final. Nowadays some people must barely have unloaded their pony, cow, sheep or giant onion before taking to online forums to slate everything from the car park to the tea tent.

Being a parish councillor in a rural community seems a particularly poisoned chalice. That’s nothing new and where would Midsomer Murders have been over the years without the odd one getting bumped off?

However, rather than a petition being formally handed over in a meeting, controversial planning applications seem to soon get Facebook campaign groups. The quiet bending of a parish councillor’s ear when you bumped into them must seem like a halcyon time compared to badgering online.

It’s perhaps interesting to note that this more sophisticated lobbying of our countryside custodians means that it’s a certain type - sweeping generalisation alert - that get their voice heard the loudest.

Saving the environment has become a good excuse for not offering paper copies of parish minutes and questionnaires; especially to older rural residents. But it’s wrong. What are a few sheets of paper compared to not getting the views of those who have lived in our communities the longest?

It’s often village newcomers who sign up and while their enthusiasm mustn’t be criticised, they just don’t have the background knowledge (such as which fields flood) when considering new developments.

To finish where we started, with a survey, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has revealed that the current planning system forces over 70 per cent of rural businesses to abandon development plans. Final word to CLA president Mark Tufnell, who warns: “We can’t continue treating the countryside as a museum.”