If my dog killed a sheep I'm the one responsible yes?

[YerAWizardHarree]

THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO MY DOG

Just seen a post on my local group that said a dog had got loose and killed 4 sheep so the farmer had shot it dead. Loads of people saying it was disgusting that the dog was shot, whereas my point of view was that it 100% is the owners fault for having a dog that had poor recall of the lead. I mentioned it to my local dog training group and I've been called a cunt, a fucking disgraceful human being. I'm not saying that the dog should have been shot I'm saying that the owner is at fault for allowing the situation

The law is on the farmer’s side.

And while I would be heartbroken if it were my dog, I would also be guilt ridden that I - the owner - allowed this to happen.

Agree with you. It's horrible but yes dog owners responsibility.

It's quite right that the dog was shot dead and anyone who lives near, or walks through farmers fields should understand that
My dog will chase. Her recall is good until she sees sheep or rabbits. I live semi rural and rarely walk her near sheep. If I do she is on a short lead and I am warning her all the time. If she ever got off the lead and chased the sheep I expect her to be shot

Absolutely. Its never pleasant, but a dog that worries sheep, let alone kills 4, either if you catch it is on a one way trip to the vets - or if the farmer is first there they are going to get shot. End of story, and totally the owners fault.

Yes, owner's responsibility. I would hate my dog to do this and to lose her in this way, but would accept that the farmer was well within his rights.

Dog owners must keep dogs on a short lead around livestock.

It is definitely the owner’s responsibility. It also the farmer’s right to shoot a dog who has killed 4 sheep.

The law is 100% on the farmers side. I agree with you. So what do these people who are calling you names expect a farmer to do in this situation? Try and call the dog away from mauling the sheep? Loosing 1 ewe let alone 4 will cost the farmer a LOT of money. Of course he's just not going to stand there trying to coax the dog over with treats is he. 🙄

It's sad for the dog that wasn't trained / restrained & kept away from the sheep, and the sheep that died an unpleasant death, & for the farmer that lost his sheep. The dog owner is 100% at fault, what was the farmer supposed to do, watch the dog kill his entire flock? Idiots in your dog training group!

Yes, owners fault

Heartbreaking though

A lot of farmers are dog lovers, most have dogs themselves. I don't think a single farmer will take shooting a dog lightly. I would be devastated if my dog killed a sheep, but I would also understand that I were responsible.

I agree with you too and I love my dog more than I can possibly say. It is my responsibility to keep him and other people/animals safe.

Awful all round but yes dog owners responsibility

I 100% agree it's unnecessary and the loss of a dog is devastating, but as a dog owner it's my responsibility to make sure my dog is never out in a position where it will do that. I'm glad it's not just me!

No one wants to be called a cunt at 7.50 in the am!

I agree, I'm the biggest dog lover but the farmer was right to do this. Their sheep are their livelihood and dogs shouldn't be roaming free near sheep. This is maybe a good example of why people need to keep their dogs on leads even if they think their dog will come when called or wouldn't hurt a fly. They're animals at the end of the day.

You are right.

What on earth was the owner doing? Horrible situation completely on them. Farmer has no option here.

I agree with you.

Though, when I was wee, we were travellers and I will always remember watching a farmer shoot the most beautiful white dog, who was chained to the front of the caravan, claiming she'd just killed his sheep. She'd been chained up all day, it was impossible (also she was bright white, perfectly clean. I can remeber seeing it so clearly). He had recently had an argument with the dogs owner though...

A loose dog can devistate a farm. It's a sad end, but the farmer is legally in the right; and they would 100% shoot their own dogs if they behaved in the same way. If the dog has actually been killing or injuring livestock, I'm always on the farmers side in this situation. If you can't control your dog near livestock, don't walk it near farms.

Owner should be shot?
We've had exactly this situation with my children in tears because our pet sheep have been brought down by someone's terrier in front of their eyes and the owners unable to recall their dog.
Our friend just list 3 sheep and incurred a vets bill. The dog has not yet been found.
I'd suggest if you can't be bothered to train a dog or keep it under control then they're not the animal lover they claim to be.

Your local group sound horrible, and ignorant. My trainer was very strong on this point, as we live in an area full of livestock, and she heard many tales of dogs being lost as a result of sheep worrying.
Keep your dog safe, and ignore those idiots.

It must be so devastating for the farmer, the whole flock gets chased and scattered, pregnant sheep can have miscarrieage. 4 is quite a high number...
I once walked into a flock - not knowing they're there - two dogs off leash. It was horrible and I was totally aware they could've been shot, and rightly so.

I'd be tempted to link the ignorant twats in your fbook group to this thread tbh

I would be devastated to lose my dogs like this. However, you don’t have dogs off lead around livestock. The farmer was in the right & the law supports his actions.

I'm a nurse, my husband is a farmer and we live on a working sheep farm. I would be devastated to shoot a dog, I really would but our sheep are our livelihood .

This is what i responded to the 'your a cunt' comment with ' I’m not saying I agree with the fact the dog got shot. I’m saying as someone who owns livestock that those farmers are 100% allowed to shoot a dog that is worrying stock. Some of those sheep who did survive will miscarry as it’s stressful being chased! This incident will have cost the farmer 1000s not to mention the emotional toll of losing animals you’ve raised from birth. Again I’m not saying it’s the dogs fault. It’s 100% the owners fault for allowing the situation.'

I live very rurally and there’s been several attacks by dogs on sheep, sadly no one has owned up it but we know it’s someone local. The sheep had their throats ripped out. I 100% believe that the farmer has a right to protect his/her livelihood and if dog owners can not keep their animals under control I am afraid this is the consequence. It happens ridiculously frequently in our area (National park), more often than not dogs chasing sheep but this too can cause upset to the sheep and miscarriage.