Farm on the M62: No justice after terrible attacks - Jill Thorp
Over the years we’ve been subjected to some appallingly selfish behaviour, often resulting in the loss of our sheep. Off lead dogs are a constant source of worry and frustration, often with catastrophic consequences. No amount of signage and repeated pleas on local community pages have helped, leaving us beyond despair.
The effect is widespread, whilst the immediate loss of our stock leaves us angry and sickened, the damage takes its toll mentally. There has been an overwhelming increase in dogs on our land since the lockdown of 2020 and with it sheep worrying incidences have gone through the roof. Our worst was a few years back, before the little guy arrived and one which I hope we never see again. Over fifty ewes were killed and countless others injured in one night by two Alsatians. It’s hard to describe the aftermath of such an attack and is one of the few times I have seen Paul reduced to tears.
The police contacted us recently to say they’d been notified of an attack on our sheep, all witnessed and photographed. Our heavily pregnant ewes had been chased into the reservoir and not all had made it out. But for once we had an eyewitness and the culprit and his dogs were all caught on camera.
It took several weeks to track the man down, a process that should not have been left to us and in hindsight an indicator of the true lack of interest in our case. With the support of our local NFU representative, however, we pushed for action and were relieved when the man was brought in for questioning.
The case was clear cut; he’d selfishly ignored the signage, allowed his dogs to run off lead on SSSI moorland during nesting and lambing season, potentially disturbing critically endangered and protected nest sites and then chased and killed some of our ewes.
The updated law is clear; unlimited fines, powers to seize dogs and hopefully if these laws were acted upon. After years of pulling dead sheep out of the reservoir, years of clearing up the carnage left behind by the countless irresponsible owners, we thought were finally getting justice. How naive were we. Nothing, no justice, no punishment and absolutely zero support from the police. Two eye witnesses, photographic evidence, statements, all for nothing. We were offered a letter of apology from the offender. A letter, full of excuses. Excuses we’ve heard a million times before.
This complete lack of policing, complete lack of support for our rural communities is absolutely appalling and to say we are devastated is an understatement. For us, now the initial shock of the outcome has passed, we have decided to pursue the matter further and are seek legal advice on the matter. How many more of these attacks must we endure before the law supports us?