Controlling your dog

[Gemini]

I know all dog owners here are responsible and careful of when and where they let their dogs off the lead.

Sadly this isn't always the case.
Last week on the golf course OH witnessed a red setter on the adjoining land attacking a sheep. It had it by the leg. She leapt over the fence and waved it off ( yes, I did remind her that she is 69!) The dog then attacked 2 more sheep, OH getting it off both. A man then appeared. OH asked was it his dog, and told him it had attacked several sheep. It attacked another and the owner seemed to have little control. OH said by now it's mouth was full of sheeps wool . His defence was he didn't know there were sheep there. No defence at all in our book.
This morning OH spoke to police officer friend who said she should report it so she has. Sadly her golf partner didn't think to take a photo.
If she hadn't been there and taken action I think there would have been seriously injured sheep.

There was a report on the impact on farmers of sheep worrying on the local news this lunchtime.

[Nanto2girls]

I think most dog owners are responsible,but there are always some that get owners a bad name.

[Daisy]

Gem, this is awful. So many sheep are attacked by out of control dogs, and even if the sheep appears ok it can still be quite literally scared to death or have hidden injuries, and of course if they're in lamb they often lose their babies. A huge 'well done' to S for leaping into action.

Perhaps farmers could to a little to help by putting up a sign that there are sheep in the field if the whole field isn't visible, eg on a hill or an irregular shape. But that doesn't excuse the owner of the setter not keeping his dog in his sight.

I was walking Eva yesterday and we were about to go round a bend into a Forest car park. She was on the lead. A couple coming towards us stopped me and explained that there were ponies just out of sight round the bend. I thought that was very thoughtful of them, although Eva has no interest in Forest livestock, and the feeling is mutual! I did say a very polite thank you, and explained Eva was used to them. We need more people like that, being so thoughtful.

[Oma]

This is how Storm was attacked last year
He was as always on a lead but another irresponsible owner allowed his dog to race over to DD and Storm and bite him ,
He then walked off calling the dog who was taking no notice , didn’t even stay to make sure DD and Storm was ok .
DD was left with a huge vet bill.

Even if this man didn’t know there were sheep around as soon as he realised he should have taken control of his dog and put him on a lead
Now the owner of those sheep will also have a heavy vet bill to pay ,
Im sure by law they still have the right to shoot any dog pestering and attacking their animals ,
If that is the case his dog could have died because of his lack of control .

Daisy I’ve just read they have put the stallions out for breading in the new forest and are warning people to be aware they are out .

[Daisy]

Daisy I’ve just read they have put the stallions out for breading in the new forest and are warning people to be aware they are out .

You are right, Oma, the the stallions are out until 10 July and there are 18 of them. New Forest ponies are a specific bloodline and the boys are chosen to help keep good bloodlines. I haven't seen our local stallion yet, but he is called Caterstone Cufflink and is a very handsome chap. 'The girls' are getting frisky! It also means you have to be even more careful than usual around the mares because they become unpredictable. Of course, the mares who are still expecting foals or have recently foaled give the stallion short shrift!