A FAILURE by dog owners across the UK to recognise the danger their pets pose to livestock is continuing to result in devastating attacks on sheep, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has warned.

The warning comes as the NSA launches its annual Sheep Worrying by Dogs Awareness Week and shares the findings of its latest survey, which reveals that 87% of respondents experienced at least one dog attack on their flock in the past year.

The most common cause identified is dog owners refusing to keep their pets on a lead while walking in the countryside.

NSA Project Manager Nicola Noble said: “Dog owners often assume their beloved pet could not be capable of causing harm to other animals, yet it is an instinctive response of a dog to chase, and for some, attack prey animals such as sheep. Barking, chasing, and physical attacks can all have devastating effects on sheep, especially at this time of year when so many are heavily pregnant or have young lambs at foot.”

Survey results released this week (Apr 14) show the situation is worsening, despite years of awareness-raising by farming and countryside organisations. On average, each farming respondent reported four sheep deaths due to dog attacks over the past year—an increase on previous years. These figures do not include unborn lambs lost when pregnant ewes miscarry from the trauma of being chased or attacked.

The consequences of sheep worrying are not only physical. They include long-term suffering for the animals and significant financial losses for farmers—through vet bills and a reduced number of healthy animals to sell.

Mrs Noble added: “Sheep worrying by dogs not only causes suffering to livestock but is also a real cause of stress and worry to farmers. Many farmers told us their mental health has been impacted by the continued threat to their animals. Alarmingly, 80% of those surveyed reported a negative experience when asking dog owners to put their pet on a lead, with nearly half receiving verbal abuse and, in some cases, even physical aggression.”

The issue of straying dogs is also highlighted in the survey. Some 43% of respondents discovered evidence of sheep worrying without witnessing the attack itself—suggesting dogs had either escaped from gardens or that owners were unwilling to admit their pet had attacked livestock.

More than half of the reported incidents occurred in private fields with no public rights of way, again suggesting either straying dogs or a blatant disregard for private farmland.

This makes identifying the dogs involved—and seeking compensation—especially difficult. Almost half of the farmers surveyed said they didn’t even attempt to claim compensation, citing a lack of faith in the system and feelings of helplessness when reporting incidents to the police.

NSA Communications Manager Katie James said: “It’s a common misconception that nothing will be done if sheep worrying is reported to the police, but if no reports are made, the scale of this issue will never be fully understood. This hampers our efforts to push for stronger legislation and proper enforcement.”

To help build a clearer picture of the scale of the problem, the NSA has launched a new online reporting tool for farmers. Mrs James added: “Although it is not a legal obligation to report attacks, we are urging all sheep farmers to use our new service alongside making reports to the police. The online log form is simple and quick to complete.”

The reporting tool and further advice are available at www.sheepworrying.org.uk.

The Sheep Worrying by Dogs Awareness Week runs from today (Monday, April 14) until Sunday, April 20. Throughout the week, the NSA will share real-life case studies and highlight new technologies being developed to help secure more prosecutions of those responsible for allowing attacks on sheep.

Follow the NSA on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates.

WELSH CONSERVATIVE Member of the Senedd, Russell George, has been suspended from the party’s group in Cardiff Bay after being charged with gambling-related offences.

Craig Williams, former MP for Montgomeryshire has also been charged.

In a statement issued on Monday morning (Apr 14), the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar MS, said: “Having been informed that Russell George MS has been charged with gambling related offences, I have taken the decision to suspend him from the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd.

“The suspension is a neutral act pending the outcome of the justice process.

“There will be no further comment at this time.”

Mr George, who has represented Montgomeryshire in the Senedd since 2011, previously stepped back from the Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet in 2024 after it emerged he was under investigation by the Gambling Commission over alleged bets on the timing of the next UK General Election.

At the time, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies confirmed that Mr George had received a letter from the Gambling Commission and said: “Russell George has stepped back from the Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet while these investigations are ongoing.

“All other members of the Welsh Conservative Group have confirmed that they have not placed any bets.”

Mr George also issued a public statement in 2024, saying: “Whilst I will cooperate fully with the Gambling Commission, it would not be appropriate to comment on this independent and confidential process.

“I have stepped back from the Shadow Cabinet while the investigation is ongoing. I have done this as I do not wish to be an unnecessary distraction to their work.”

The latest development marks a significant escalation, with the Gambling Commission’s investigation apparently resulting in formal charges.

No further details of the specific charges have yet been released, and it is not known when Mr George is due to appear in court.

Mr George’s constituency, Montgomeryshire, has also been in the spotlight recently after Craig Williams—formerly the area’s MP—was himself investigated for placing bets on the date of the General Election. Mr Williams had the Conservative whip withdrawn in Westminster as a result.

Ellie Reeves MP, Chair of the Labour Party, commenting on the Gambling Commission charging 15 people, including Russell George, Member of the Senedd for Montgomeryshire, and Craig Williams, former MP for Montgomeryshire, with offences relating to betting on the General Election, said: “This is a very serious development. The British people will expect that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing faces the full force of the law.

“Kemi Badenoch must make crystal clear that anyone found guilty of using insider information to cheat the system to try to enrich themselves has no place in the Conservative Party. No ifs, no buts.

“Labour is turning the page on 14 years of Conservative chaos and scandal and we’re turning our country round through our Plan for Change. Only Labour can be trusted to deliver security for working people and the renewal Britain needs.”

The Herald will provide updates as the case develops.

Local accountant Jim Cornock, who is a partner with  the Ashmole & Co accountancy firm, is clocking up the miles this month in readiness for his toughest running challenge to date when he runs the London Marathon to raise funds for Tenovus Cancer Care. 

The marathon comes hot on the heels of last week’s Newport marathon which he completed as part of his training, and the Marathon Eryri which he ran last autumn.

Jim is no stranger to  running but is more familiar with the half marathon distance rather than a full marathon. He has agreed to take on London’s  26.2 mile challenge for the first time on Sunday, April 27, to help raise funds for Ashmole &  Co’s chosen charity for this year.  But it also has a special meaning for him personally.

Jim said, “Tenovus Cancer Care provides so much support for people with cancer. This one is personal for me as my mum passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of just 61. I have no doubt there were times when she wanted to just turn around and go home but like thousands of others facing a cancer diagnosis, she couldn’t. That is what keeps me going during my training runs. I felt like turning back lots of times recently when I was  out on my longest runs,but I kept remembering why I’m doing this.”

Jim has worked for Ashmole & Co for the past 31 years and became a partner in the Ammanford office in 2004. He currently works out of the Haverfordwest, Ammanford, Llandeilo and Llandovery offices. 

Married to Pamela, the couple have  two children Rosie and Owen, and Owen will be running the London Marathon alongside his dad for support, although Jim suspects his son might well leave him behind when the going gets tough.

“Taking part in the London Marathon will bring to a close Ashmole & Co’s 12 months of fundraising for Tenovus Cancer Care,” added Jim, “ and  I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during my endless training during this time. It means a lot.”

Tenovus Cancer Care are a Wales-based charity which gives help, hope and a voice to everyone affected by cancer. 

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Jim’s London Marathon  can do so on the Justgiving link.