Some dog owners should have their dogs removed off them. This sort of behaviour causes distress to sheep and wild animals,even death and gives responsible dog owners a bad name.
Police have been alerted after a dog was filmed harassing Kashmiri goats on Llandudno's Great Orme. Barking repeatedly, the dog scampered along rocks as goats – and one sheep – retreated to the top of cliffs.
When a video clip was shared on social media, horrified viewers worried the dog would “terrify the goats and force them off the rocks”. Adding to the distress was the realisation that some of the Great Orme goats are currently pregnant.
The call went out to “find and fine the idiot owner” – though no one was seen nearby. A Rhyl woman said: “That’s absolutely disgraceful to put the goats in danger of falling to get away let alone the dog falling too. The owner should be prosecuted when found for not keeping the dog under control.”
Some people suggested the dog was actually in greater danger than the goats if got too close. Online, a woman said: “One of the larger goats will probably head butt it off the cliff before too long. Those horns can pack a punch!” At least one billy goat was present and locals suspected he would take action if the dog “got too close to his ladies!”
Conwy Council said its Great Orme wardens were aware of the incident. A spokesperson said: “We are liaising with the grazier and North Wales Police rural crime team.
“Dogs must be on a lead or under close control on the Great Orme. Close control means always having your dog in your sight, close to you and having the control to recall your dog at all times.
“This is important at all times of year but especially important now due to pregnant goats, sheep and kids and lambs being born. We’d urge all dog owners to observe the Dog Walking Code.
Some people suggested the dog itself was distress and was “trying to get down”. Another theory was that the owner was hurt and the dog was barking for help.
The video clip was sent to Dan Jones, the National Trust tenant farmer who has 900 acres of grazing rights on the Great Orme. With his Lleyn, Herdwick and Welsh Mountain sheep, he aims to balance production with conservation at the scenic landmark.
At such a popular site, he is not immune to the damage dogs can do. In December 2024, he posted a video of a lamb that had been bloodied and badly injured, explaining it was the third attack in six weeks.
Last May he was forced to deal with a sickening scenario when a dog chased a sheep over the wall lining Marine Drive. Dan posted a video showing waves lapping against the dead animal on the shingle shoreline far below.
In November, another of his ewes was mauled to death, the second of the year. Warning that dog attacks put a “massive strain” on sheep farmers, he said the financial cost was “nothing compared to the stress, sadness and frustration”.
Dan added: “It’s totally avoidable, we shouldn’t have to deal with it. All we want is for people to enjoy the countryside - as long as they keep their dogs on a lead, this shouldn’t happen.”
Goat deaths are less common than sheep - but an old billy was killed in an alleged attack by two dogs in Conway Road, Llandudno, in June 2022
From...https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/dog-filmed-harassing-goats-great-33284116
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comment