My dog has just done the worst thing

[93sdb]

Hes just chased a sheep into a pond in the snow. Im heartbroken.

When he was younger he chased sheep before and he has ALWAYS been on a lead since then. Sheep or not.

We were walking down a field a walk through daily that has never had sheep in in the 20 years I've lived here. He was on his extendable lead and it was on loose but he was right next to me. I opened the gate to go through and felt him pull on the lead. Saw the sheep and put the clip on so he couldn't get any closer and the lead snapped. He chased the sheep and would not come back. One jumped into a pond and I finally got him back.

Another girl from the house nearby helped me get the sheep out but it went into shock but was still breathing. I put my coat around it and sat with her whilst she called the farmer and another lad came over and said the farmer was going to be furious as this had happened earlier this morning. I gave them my number said I would pay any vet bills etc and left it with my coat wrapped around it.

The farmer has just called and spoken to my dad as I was too upset. He's shouted at my dad (understandably) and is threatening to get the police involved and wants immediate compensation and threatened to come and shoot my dog. The sheep is alive and is warming back up in this man's house and is expected to make a full recovery and I am going to walk up there later (WITHOUT THE DOG) to check on it.

I just wanted somewhere to write and be devestated. Im upset how the farmer spoke to my dad as it was a complete and utter accident but I understand his frustration. I wouldn't of even walked in the field with my dog if I had any clue there was going to be sheep in there. He hasn't got excited around them since the first time but I would never risk it.

@BillieSpain

Oh Lord, quite rightly you feel awful.

The poor farmer, poor sheep. Of course the farmer shouted.

To not have a reliable lead and walk through a field of sheep is unforgiveable, I just cross my fingers all the sheep are OK.

I realise you are sorry but it really isn't enough.

Enjoy that did you?

Read all of the OP's posts and don't be so horrible FGS

@MrsHusky, I don't work on a farm, no. I own a farm. I don't condone people allowing their dogs to worry livestock. If you think it's fine then I worry for the sanity of the farmer who employed you!

I think you got the brunt of the farmer bring totally pissed off with having attacks on their livelihood. We've found due to Covid walking has increased and been a high number of attacks on sheep, horses, cattle, gates left open, walls, fences damaged etc.

People seem to think the fields are there to do as they like in, forgetting it belongs to someone and is their job.

In that spilt moment the farmer may have thought you were another irresponsible muppet.

I hope the sheep enjoys your coat, they are going to look stylish in the field tomorrow.

OP I'm a farmer

Plus I have a d dog who has zero recall

I totally emphasise

Hope you are ok
Lesson learned for next time 🙏

@CakeIsEternal I completely agree that the dog should have been on a short lead (and I'm sure he will be next time)

I was replying to the poster who asked her what she was doing in a private field at all, and said she should apologise for being there. She was on a public footpath.

There is a small but vocal contingent on MN who believe that public rights of way aren't "real" or intended to be used by the public, and that using a public footpath through private land is in itself trespassing. They're wrong.

WinterIsGone I disagree. I think the majority of sheep worrying incidents and horse and cow worrying are due to a minority of dog owners who think the countryside is one big public park and their little precious is ENTITLED to be off the lead and do fuck all when the animal is chasing livestock. I had a dog owner complain to me, utterly outraged, when my ponies chased her fucking terrier out of my field. He was only playing when he chased them, barking, and apparently if I can't control my animals, they shouldn't be out in a field. A field fenced off from the right of way I may add. OP, you acted honourably and I am sure you have learned your lesson but as I am sure you know, everyone in the countryside who keeps livestock is sick to death of the behaviour and the sheer amount of incidents that have occurred resulting in death and injury of livestock since lockdown happened.

@dublingirl66

OP I'm a farmer

Plus I have a d dog who has zero recall

I totally emphasise

Hope you are ok
Lesson learned for next time 🙏

You weren't cavalier and accidents happen. Most importantly, the sheep is ok. All you can do now is to do your best to ensure it doesn't happen again.

I would imagine that the majority of sheep worrying incidents are due to some accident
hmm, you mean the owner 'accidentally' believes that the needs and enjoyment of the dog are more important than.....well everything really, because....'my ickle fur baby'

My Dh was attacked by a horse last week, he was using a public footpath correctly and the horse charged at him and kicked the dog. We are horsey, live in the countryside and know how to behave.

It happens, I didn’t phone the owner up and scream at them about their precious pony being allowed to attack walkers.

It was an accident.

Going off on a slight tangent here but wouldn't it be safer if public footpaths were securely fenced off so that humans/dogs couldn't hurt livestock, and livestock (especially cattle) couldn't hurt humans/dogs?? I know it would cost a lot to put fencing but it would save a lot of lives. Animal and human.
What do you think about this idea? Especially if you're a farmer?

@Asdf12345 she didn't let the dogs off the lead and never does, have you actually read her OP?

@Whatifwewereallperfect

Sorry but if there were sheep in the field and your dog had a history of chasing then you shouldn't have gone in. At this time of year sheep are pregnant and can easily go into shock if chased and abort. Personally I hate those extension leads as the are generally not strong and do not allow owners to keep dogs under control. I'm sure you are feeling devastated but this is someone's livlihood

She uses the field every day. There has NEVER previously been sheep in the field in the past 20 years. Its snowed, she didnt see them, the dog WAS on a lead.

She has already said, had she been aware/seen the sheep she wouldn't have taken him in there because she knows he will chase sheep.

I'm really not quite sure what exactly people expect of her.

Or why a dog that is kept on a lead 100% of the time, despite having faultless recall in all other situations (other than sheep) is been reported as having 'zero recall'

@PainterInPeril

Going off on a slight tangent here but wouldn't it be safer if public footpaths were securely fenced off so that humans/dogs couldn't hurt livestock, and livestock (especially cattle) couldn't hurt humans/dogs?? I know it would cost a lot to put fencing but it would save a lot of lives. Animal and human. What do you think about this idea? Especially if you're a farmer?

I was just discussing this with Dh as he was quite shaken about the horse going for him and the dogs, I think it’s a good idea.

We debated about contacting the council but were worried the horse would get the brunt of it as this individual farmer has been convicted of cruelty fairly recently (he also owns a slaughterhouse).

Have you any idea what fencing costs? Or that public footpaths are historical and do not always follow a convenient path through a field and even getting the route through your field changed to say, follow a fenceline can cost thousands in planning and consulting fees? And then people often ignore them anyway? Can people not just behave themselves?

[quote Bisquiteen]@MrsHusky, I don't work on a farm, no. I own a farm. I don't condone people allowing their dogs to worry livestock. If you think it's fine then I worry for the sanity of the farmer who employed you![/quote]
I don't nor does the OP.. i'd love you to show me where anyone has said its ok or that they condone sheep worrying?

@ParadiseIsland

There is a big difference between a sheep and a child. Just because a dog chases sheep doesn't mean it is going to go for a child, for crying out loud.

Just had a little look back. To everyone defending me thank you so much and honestly I don't really care what they have to say - I accept what I did but I also don't think I'm this awful terrible dog owner who just allows him to do what he wants etc. Lessons have been learned and im doing all I can. I've had such a shit day but the sheeps okay and the dog hasn't been shot it could of been 1000X worse and I'm so grateful. Thank you for sticking up for me and listening to me. X

All those who obviously know myself and my dog more than we do apparently. Thank god that you are perfect, your dogs must be impeccably behaved and never step a toe out of line. You know everything and never make mistakes. I applaud you. Well done.

Signing off from this thread now but thanks again!

@ParadiseIsland

And a dog can have excellent recall but still not come back when it is chasing sheep. They get tunnel vision, a one track mind and when they start chasing sheep, they won't hear the owner calling. That is why dogs must always be kept on leads when near sheep.

I'm sorry but if he had threatened to shoot my dog after rescuing his sheep, contacting him and keeping it warm etc (you could have just walked away) he would not be get anything else out of me. Id be phoning the police on him for threatening behaviour

@Hopingformydb

I'm sorry but if he had threatened to shoot my dog after rescuing his sheep, contacting him and keeping it warm etc (you could have just walked away) he would not be get anything else out of me. Id be phoning the police on him for threatening behaviour

another dogsplainer sure the police would see it your way....not

I know you are upset but this is not the worst thing your dog could have done . He hasn't killed a child. I am assuming there was no sign to say sheep were in the field. You did everything you could have done. I'm sure someone will be on to stay their dog is 100% compliant but these things do happen as sometimes dogs just won't listen. I have only read the OP so will read the rest now and I hope you are okay.

The threat to shoot your dog would make me less likely to listen to him having a go. It reads like he's planning to just shoot your dog now. Not if he's in the field again.

And a dog can have excellent recall but still not come back when it is chasing sheep
surely the point of recall is that you can 'recall' it, ie make the dog obey you, respond to your command there and then
or is this the 'dogsplaining' version of recall where the dog comes back if it's got nothing more interesting to do?

@yohoheaveho hmm woman's dog accidently comes off lead chases a sheep.. or man threatens to kill dog /come to private property and verbally abuses her dad?? I think I know who the police would listen to.

@yohoheaveho you do realise that yes, while the Police could charge the OP with her dog being dangerously out of control, or sheep worrying, that DOESNT absolve the Farmer of threatening to hunt her down and shoot her dog, right?

The Farmer is 100% in the wrong to threaten someone with violence, trust me, the Police would take a very dim view of that too.