Farmer left a sheep!

[releasethehounds]

Not really pets but didn't know where else to post this.

Two days ago the farmer came and took his flock of sheep from the large field opposite us. However he missed one! I noticed it when out on a dog walk last night. Aren't they supposed to count their sheep? Anyway I'm hoping he comes back for it; in the meantime it seems quite content with a whole field of grass to itself! If the farmer doesn't come back I have no way of getting in touch with him. Am I supposed to ring any particular organisation and report it? I'm also concerned that local dog walkers will start using the field thinking it's empty.

Any advice appreciated.

Are there other people living in the vicinity that you can ask if they have contact details for the farmer? Otherwise, I'd call the rspca and I think they can find out.
Sheep don't like to be alone really.

Thanks, yes that's what I thought as sheep are usually in a flock. I will ask a few neighbours but I doubt they have any contact details. If they don't I'll contact the RSPCA.

Omg this could be a kids book. "The sheep that was left".
And it could be the story of how the farmer had gone, no one could trace him, the sheep was sad and lonely and then releasethehounds comes to the rescue.. takes in the sheep, the sheep is a friend and makes friends with other animals and follows you around your garden etc etc.

Do. It. :D

You would need to report it to the Animal Health team at your local council. The RSPCA will pass it to them and they will more than likely know who it belongs to.

If you’re on Facebook have a look for local farming or horse community pages.

Regularly see lost sheep/escaped cows posts on ours and someone always knows who they belong to

Should say RSPCA will pass it to Animal Health in any event.

This happened locally, wonder if it has been left on purpose for some strange farming reason. Local one was there a few days and then collected.

Is it easy to see the whole field? Because if so, maybe the farmer has done it on purpose. Otherwise if its hilly or rocky etc it could be more understandable that the farmer missed it.

Also, can we have a photo of the little cloud? :)

If it has ear tags it can be traced back to the flock although it could be a ram being kept separate until the right time. I take it you don't know where the farm is?

Sorry I've been out. Thanks for all the replies. Especially enjoyed the storybook suggestion, sadly don't think my dogs would like a sheep in the garden!

Thanks for all the great advice; I'll follow up and post on progress.

Aren't they supposed to count their sheep?

^^

Well, yeah.

But he's not little bo peep

Will check if sheep is still there when I take the dogs out later.

Field is very large with different sections and a brook running through it so I can understand how the farmer missed one! Although I have spoken to him briefly in the past he isn't local and just rents the field on a temporary basis.

😁 Bo peep.
I do know a sheep farmer - just not this one!

If you do a Google of farms in your area you will be able to see where all the farmhouses are on the map and usually phone numbers. Text one of the numbers telling them where the field is and the problem, if not theirs they will usually know who the farmer is and contact them for you.

I did this once before when I came across a cow where it shouldn't have been and the farmer I contacted found the owner.

Brill thanks

Sorry but it's bad news. I just went into the field and sadly a fox must have got in during the night ☹️. I shall still make some calls in the morning as I know even dead sheep should be recorded. I'm also annoyed at the farmer because he should have made sure he had all his sheep.

Thanks for all your advice, just sorry it ended like this x

Are you suggesting a fox killed a sheep?

Well something did, I assumed it was a fox. Normally I don't think it would attack such a large sheep but it was vulnerable on its own. Maybe something else killed it?

a fox might kill an ill or injured sheep.
maybe the sheep was left isolated due to illness?
there are a couple of farmers on here @derxa maybe can help?

Yes @derxa, feel free to contribute

Derxa will be along in a minute she's just pouring a large glass of red after watching This Farming Life on BBC2.

Meanwhile will this sheep farmer of 1000 plus sheep suffice?

A fox did not kill that sheep. It might have been eating an already dead sheep.

It was more likely a fly that killed it.

Really? It seemed fit and healthy last night. Am I right in thinking I still need to report this don't I?

@Scrowy your experience is invaluable

totally forgot about the bloody flies. fly strike is a menace.

Feel really upset for the sheep. Nearing totm and this thread was no good

Well theres no reason for you to 'report' to anyone now it's dead as there not much anyone can do other than send it to the knackers yard. It's possibly suffered from fly strike or pneumonia or something and then been scavenged on after death.

The farmer may have a recount when he gets to the other end and realise he's one short and go back and have a look, he may not. Depends on what type of farmer he is. Once he is aware of it he should come and remove it.

If you can see it from the road you can guarantee every other passing nosey farmer will also have seen it and will probably already gave let the owner/renter know. In this weather there won't be much left of it in a week or do anyway.

Despite that most of the time sheep would be perfectly fine in a field on their own for a few days so it's all a bit unfortunate really.