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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

My dog has just done the worst thing

711 replies

93sdb · 09/02/2021 15:53

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.

OP posts:

Arobase · 09/02/2021 17:02

Well if it happened twice in one day, arguably the farmer should learn from this that putting sheep in a field that had never had sheep in it before requires signage up to warn unsuspecting dog owners.

Nonsense. It's the farmer's land which he can use however he thinks suitable. It is entirely and solely the responsibility of people who choose to walk on it or exercise their dogs on it to keep their eyes open and take all necessary precautions.

Disfordarkchocolate · 09/02/2021 17:02

It sounds terrible but I think you did the best you could.

For those annoyed about the possible need for signs. I see a fair few of these when I'm out and about. Just reminding people to keep their dogs on a lead because of sheep, I think it's fairly normal.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 09/02/2021 17:04

I'm glad you've spoken to the farmer and that the sheep is okay!

In future I would go with a rope-type lead, or even a metal lead so it can't snap. A as a dog walker, I refuse to use retractable leads for the following reasons:

a) you have pretty much no control over the dog if it's on full-extension. b) they're not very strong and liable to snap
c) if they end up wrapped around someone's leg or arm, they can do some serious damage.
d) you can't grab them (while also holding the handle) for extra security if a dog lunges you need to hold them away from a car/bike etc.
e) they're awful for teaching nice lead manners and allow dogs to pull at the end with no consequences.

percheron67 · 09/02/2021 17:04

Don't use extending leads they are ridiculous and dangerous. Buy a suitable strong lead and keep the dog on that. As he is a potential sheep worrier farmers will have no mercy and I don't blame them. The amount of people who have dogs and not an inkling of proper training amazes me. The problem is going to go from bad to worse because of many ignorant people buying dogs in lockdown.

Blubell281 · 09/02/2021 17:04

Something similar happened to me, my dog chased a sheep and actually caught it and brought it down, thankfully it only got hold of a mouthful of wool. It was a dreadful experience. I often look at all the dogs off lead and wonder how owners can be so relaxed about it. I'm hyper vigilant in the countryside now. Dog is never off lead and we never go near fields of sheep.

I hope you're ok OP. I think you handled the whole situation really well.

bitliketonyhares · 09/02/2021 17:05

I think the issue is how the rest of the herd will be effected. I grew up around tonnes of farmland, herds of sheep will abort if they have a large scare. Potentially thousands of costs. Maybe just be prepared that it could go further in this sense. Absolutely not your fault the lead snapped - but you are liable in this instance as you were on his land

Thefaceofboe · 09/02/2021 17:06

It’s awful for the farmer but you did the right thing by helping with the sheep and leaving your number etc, not everyone would of done that!

Raindough · 09/02/2021 17:08

Also frankly your dog needs training as it has no recall.

You need to let your insurers deal with this, or if you don’t have insurance you’ll have to pay for his (valid) costs yourself. Whilst you’re at it, you should invest in dog training sessions.

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/02/2021 17:08

I’m sorry this happened and you are shaken. It sounds awful to have been shouted at. However you were in the wrong whatever the circumstances and the farmer is rightfully very angry. So take it on the chin, go and apologise or write a note.

Christ on a bike all these clueless townies baying for the farmer’s blood. Perish the thought the farmer should put his sheep in his field. Maybe he isn’t allowed to put sheep in his field lol.

Do you not realise farmers are on the bones of their arse? Ffs.

Cadent · 09/02/2021 17:09

Please don't go back there with your dog, it's not well trained enough.

Your remorse doesn't count for much if you are going to keep going back.

CoronaIsWatching · 09/02/2021 17:09

I'd report the farmer to the police for threatening to shoot your dog

MintyMabel · 09/02/2021 17:09

Well if it happened twice in one day, arguably the farmer should learn from this that putting sheep in a field that had never had sheep in it before requires signage up to warn unsuspecting dog owners

This is a joke, right? A farmer doesn’t have to put up a sign in his own field saying there are sheep in it. The assumption should always be if you are in a field there might be livestock in it. Even if the farmer hasn’t put them in that field, it’s not uncommon for fences to break.

OP, sounds like a genuine mistake and you did the right thing. You can’t help that the lead snapped at that moment, but you were lucky the farmer wasn’t there as he could have shot the dog. Our dog was shot when I was a teenager. 2 acre field with, sheep at one end, our dog had slipped his collar chasing a rabbit and ran through the fence at the other end of the field. He was trying to jump back into our yard when the farmer shot him. Entirely within his rights but a shitty thing to do.

Get a better lead, be aware livestock can be anywhere, put it to the back of your mind.

Sprig1 · 09/02/2021 17:09

I am a sheep farmer and I would have been furious too. I also wouldn't believe you about the lead because it seems so unlikely. I think you are just going to have to take it on the chin that he is mad and has every right to be so. It was clearly v bad luck for you re: the unexpected sheep and the lead and you have done everything you can to make amends. I think you should just move on and try and forget about it, keep enjoying your walks and never buy another extendable lead again.

violetcobra · 09/02/2021 17:09

You did the right thing OP, and as much as I sympathize with the farmer, shouting at people and threatening to hurt their pets is a horrible thing to do. He needs to check his temper.

rwalker · 09/02/2021 17:10

i can't believe how entitled some of the replies are no wonder dog owners have a bad name

It's more than obvious whats happen and how OP feels about it and wanted advice on what to do

WombatChocolate · 09/02/2021 17:12

No one comes off well in this story.
Clearly the Op's dog did wrong and bothering livestock is a serious issue.

The farmer was rightly angry, but anger must be controlled and threatening to hunt down a property and shoot a dog is unacceptable as a response.

violetcobra · 09/02/2021 17:12

@CoronaIsWatching

I'd report the farmer to the police for threatening to shoot your dog

This. Absolutely agree - threatening other people/their dogs (as 'revenge' for an accident) is not on, it's violent and unacceptable.

MintyMabel · 09/02/2021 17:13

Just reminding people to keep their dogs on a lead because of sheep, I think it's fairly normal.

That’s different from saying there needs to be a sign in a field where there are sheep. That’s just a general advisory.

I'd report the farmer to the police for threatening to shoot your dog
He is within his rights to do so.

Also frankly your dog needs training as it has no recall.

Our dog had near perfect recall. Would come back with almost any call. Except if he was chasing rabbits.

Melroses · 09/02/2021 17:13

We had miniature dachshunds that chased sheep when I was a child. They got into a field under the gate. You can never be certain that it won't happen.

Definitely strong leads required (even for miniature dachshunds). The extending ones make no sense. Either they are somewhere they can run about, or they are somewhere where they need to be controlled and understand that.

bitliketonyhares · 09/02/2021 17:14

@CoronaIsWatching

I'd report the farmer to the police for threatening to shoot your dog

Not a good idea. Op would likely be in trouble for the incident and would inadvertently be reporting herself. Obviously the farmer should not be threatening to find the house and shoot the dog, however if the dog was seen chasing the sheep on his land he had every legal right to shoot the dog. Livestock act will be in the farmers favour. The threat to find the house However was wrong I agree. But reporting is a bad idea.

RatherBeRiding · 09/02/2021 17:15

I can see both sides here (farmer's daughter). No-one should underestimate the absolute carnage that dogs can cause to livestock when off lead - and I've also had a crashing fall off a horse on a bridlepath caused by an out of control dog off a lead attacking my pony but that's another story!

Equally, if a public footpath runs across a farmer's land you are absolutely entitled to walk your dog ON A LEAD on the footpath. A broken lead is an accident and you did everything you could in the circumstances - you got hold of your dog, you made sure the sheep didn't drown, you owned up to the farmer, you offered to pay any vet bills.

I am sure the farmer is sick to death of people on the footpath leaving litter, dog poo, having dogs off leads running all over the place - and he probably reacted in the heat of the moment.

I never walk my dogs through livestock as I would be terrified they might break away from me and chase them, but you didn't know there were sheep in the field - so not your fault. Not the farmer's fault either. Just a nasty accident that couldn't have been predicted.

Idontlikethatnameanymore · 09/02/2021 17:16

for those of you thinking the farmer over reacted read this:

www.agriland.co.uk/farming-news/graphic-50-sheep-killed-in-dog-attack-on-a-welsh-farm/

IAmongstTheWorld · 09/02/2021 17:16

Keep the lead, whatever you do, don't throw it out.

Get a proper lead too.

A horrible thing to go through - however, the farmer is right to be furious too.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 09/02/2021 17:16

This. Absolutely agree - threatening other people/their dogs (as 'revenge' for an accident) is not on, it's violent and unacceptable.

If the farmer had caught the dog in action, he would have had the right to shoot and kill.

Farmers are well within their rights to shoot dogs "at large" amongst their livestock.

CoronaIsWatching · 09/02/2021 17:16

He is within his rights to do so

He WOULDN'T be within his rights to find her house and shoot the dog on her property. Honestly on this website people are advised to log with 101 if a neighbour looks through their window normally

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