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.

Unfortunately the lockdowns and local exercise has resulted in a lot of dog attacks on livestock as people walk new routes with uncontrollable dogs. Gates left open, dead sheep & horses from people feeding them, there was a hideous video of a lamb walking around with it's lower jaw ripped off. The amount of idiots feeling entitled to run roughshod all over the countryside at the moment is heartbreaking.

Never feed anything to any animal, not even a handful of grass from the field they're in, unless it's your animal.

Always keep your dog on a (decent) lead in all fields at all times, unless you own the field.

You'd be pretty upset if someone wandered into your house leaving the door open and letting your dog and children into the road, then sat next to you on the sofa and stuffed sausage rolls into your mouth until you choked.

Dogs on leads at all times in fields.

@deathbyprocrastination

This sounds so stressful. Don't beat yourself up about it, you've done what you can to make amends. Wishing you a stress-free evening to recover

Tbh, I think sometimes we do need to reflect on our errors. I don't think anyone should beat themselves up but this is a cautionary tale really - you can't assume there won't be sheep on farmland, even if they weren't there yesterday, and you are responsible for the consequences.

It is like not slowing down for a new speed limit - the police don't let you off for not being careful enough.

I know no one meant this to happen but sometimes when we've fucked up or caused an accident we have a period of feeling a bit crappy after.

Ah, OP, what a shit day - I hope you’re ok, sounds horrible for everyone involved.

I’ve been in the same position - lead snapped on my collie-cross puppy and he barrelled towards some cows. I was terrified he’d scare and chase them; as it was, they were briefly shocked and reared a bit, and then tried to stamp him, and he returned sharpish. They were, it turns out, bullocks... The worry of scaring an animal and killing it or causing it to miscarry is awful. I had no idea extendable leads were known to be so rubbish.

You’ve done what you can today - well done. And well done for asking the farmer to keep you updated. I think you behaved well in a really rubbish situation.

purely through her own stupidity and sense of entitlement

How was the OP stupid or entitled? She walked her dog on a lead on a public footpath. Public footpaths are for the public to walk on. The clue is in the name. It is totally understandable that the farmer is angry and is entitled to seek compensation from the OP, but the OP wasn't doing anything against any rule. The (sturdy, pretty thick) lead broke.

Accidents happen op, don't beat yourself up.

@93sdb

I can understand the farmer. I know it was an accident but since Covid a lot more people are walking their dogs near us and it’s causing no end of problems with parking and dog poop. I bet he has had many issues and might just be at the end of his lead and it snapped.

I do t blame people for having more time abs going to different places in the lockdown but it can upset the balance.

It was a complete and utter accident, different if she walked in knowing there was sheep there or walked him through a field with no lead. Accidents happen.

Accidents happen, but there is still usually responsibility, as with car accidents.

Another one who would like to know how the OP was being entitled by walking on a public footpath

You’ve done everything you can OP, please ignore those who are making up their own version of what happened. I have a big dog with a strong prey drive (rescue) and she is often walked on a heavy duty extendable lead. I would never have thought up until now that they were prone to snapping so you’re not the only one! I hope you are OK, and the sheep is too.

Bisquiteen It was clearly an accident. Have you never misjudged something before? We all make mistakes. If my cat was killed by a dog due to a genuine mistake and the dog owner was apologetic and put measures in place to ensure it couldn't happen again then I wouldn't be raging with anger, I'd be upset of course but accidents do happen!

A farmer in my road shot a dog for sheep worrying recently, this could have had a far worse outcome OP, dog is okay, sheep is okay and you're okay.

It was an accident and you've had a nasty shock, don't be too hard on yourself. It sounds like you did everything possible to help the poor sheep. The farmer is understandably angry but your dog was on his lead and you have avoided routes where you expected to encounter a sheep. I'm sure you won't be using an extending lead in future. My dog pulled hard on his and broke the retracting mechanism, that's how I learnt they're not suitable for powerful dogs

Obviously the farmer isn't legally allowed to physically come to your house and shoot your dog himself.

However, your dog was dangerously out of control and attacked another animal,

https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public

The penalties can include unlimited fines, prison for up to six months, the dog being destroyed and the owner being banned from owning dogs in future.

The police won't necessarily take a dim view of the farmer shouting and threatening to kill the dog. They could as easily support the farmer and remove the dog to sit in a kennel pending the outcome of a court case.

@LeaveMyDamnJam

Extendable leads are not fit for purpose. I have heard of so many issues with them and think they should be banned.

You behaved well after the fact OP and I hope the sheep is ok.

This is the point I want to make. My dog instructor castigated someone who brought their pup on one of those. Told them to put it in the bin, as it's dangerous for this very reason (also that the locking mechanism may give way at any point and the dog may run in to a road).

If anyone still uses such a lead please please please bin it and get a lead that is fit for purpose.

To be honest I see warnings about this kind of lead everywhere. If people persist in using them despite that they must accept the blame and the consequences.

@BillieSpain

Angry farmer 'I could have shot your dog' OR Angry farmer 'I will hunt you down in your home and shoot your dog'?

I know which I think was said.
Nothing like a bit of embellishment to make yourself feel better.

The entire story could be fabricated if you look at it with that attitude. That’s the thing with MN you only get one side of the story so you craft a response based on that. Trying to imply the op is lying is dense and troll hunting is not tolerated.

@93sdb

@HypocriticalKiss

This is Not the first time op has allowed her dog to have a distressful unpleasant experience coming across sheep.!

Next time Pregnant sheep could be terrified by your dog or be attacked and be killed by your dog.

Totally understand being extremly upset he doesn't know next time when his sheep are going to be mauled to death like on the news TV,apparently there is a spate if incidents like this.

Farmer got every right to shoot dogs if they frighten their live stock.
I can amagine the farmer will be defaintly keeping a count of these terrifying incidences at his farm place.

I really feel for you. I can understand why a lot of farmers are at the end of their rope as there are a lot of completely irresponsible people out there but you're clearly not one of them and were unlucky, and unfortunately bearing the brunt of his frustrations at others.

My friend was telling how sheep pregnant with unborn Lambs end up having spontenious still born (giving birth to dead baby lambs or having a miscarriage Cause of the shock of being Terrified/shocked of dogs or being attacked by dogs.

Sorry, I know this is a serious thread, but what else would a sheep be pregnant with / give birth to other than an unborn lamb? A six-month-old giraffe?

I have a field by me and when the sheep are in obviously the gate is closed . Lots of the village use it when empty . The farmer is aware .

I went in with my two dogs they were running around and coming back when I whistled. We went over the brow of the hill and my daughter shouted PIG!!!!! In a really loud voice . And there at the bottom of the field was the biggest pig, like a rhino (thats what it looked like in my panic) with my dogs running towards it .

I know that logically I knew it would be behind an electric fence but in my panic that did not really register . Luckily ( if it had been a rabbit they may not have done) both dogs came back when I whistled and shouted .

I felt really bad that I had not gone over the hill to check first . Even though no harm was done.

Hope you are ok OP . Sounds like a genuine accident .

@Nunoftheother

Sorry that made me laugh .

A farmer I know asked for (and got) £160 to cover the cost of a sheep killed by a dog. It would vary according to the breed of the sheep but could be a starting point to offer.

@Blubell281

Bisquiteen It was clearly an accident. Have you never misjudged something before? We all make mistakes. If my cat was killed by a dog due to a genuine mistake and the dog owner was apologetic and put measures in place to ensure it couldn't happen again then I wouldn't be raging with anger, I'd be upset of course but accidents do happen!

Presumably, although you love your cat, you aren't dependent on it for your livelihood.

@Asdf12345

If you know your dog worries livestock it simply can never be off the lead outside a secure area. It doesn’t take much stress for them to miscarry at all, and only a few from the flock to wipe out the years profit.

I would take the farmer a bottle of whisky, a grovelling apology, and the insurance details of the dogs third party liability cover.

Read the post, the lead broke.

@CaptainMyCaptain

A farmer I know asked for (and got) £160 to cover the cost of a sheep killed by a dog. It would vary according to the breed of the sheep but could be a starting point to offer.

offer what? its alive and well.

I hate to say this but the sheep may still suffer from delayed shock. Did we ever establish whether the OP does indeed have insurance? There may still be some form of action taken against her/the dog?