With Easter approaching, farmers are issuing a warning about a rise in dog attacks on young lambs, as thousands of people are expected to visit the countryside for holiday walks. NFU Mutual, the UK’s leading rural insurer, is urging dog owners to keep their pets on leads when near farm animals.
In 2024, nearly £1.8 million worth of farm animals were severely injured or killed in dog attacks, though this represents a 26% decrease from the previous year. In the Midlands, the cost of these attacks rose to £452,000 in 2024, up from £331,000 in 2023.
Hannah Binns, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, explained that the late timing of Easter this year means that most lambs will have already been born and will be out in the fields, making them particularly vulnerable to dog attacks. She emphasized that all dogs, regardless of breed, size, or temperament, have the potential to chase, injure, or kill farm animals.
Recent incidents highlight the seriousness of the issue. In Derbyshire, a couple lost a valuable pedigree ewe in a dog attack near Bakewell. Steph Wells, who had hand-reared the ewe, shared the heartbreak of losing the animal, noting that over the years, her family had lost dozens of sheep in similar attacks, many suffering from horrific injuries.
NFU Mutual is urging dog owners to be responsible during Easter walks to help protect vulnerable livestock.