Cornish Mutual reports rise in sheep worrying claims

by Gill Montia

Story link: Cornish Mutual reports rise in sheep worrying claims

Cornish Mutual, which offers cover for farms and farm related businesses from offices in Exeter and Truro, is appealing to dog walkers to act responsibly near livestock this Spring.

As this time of year many ewes will be pregnant and therefore even more vulnerable in a dog attack.

In 2008, the insurer recorded a sharp increase in sheep worrying claims; fourteen claims were lodged across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset at an average cost of £500 per incident.

The firm is issuing a reminder that farm and landowners are legally allowed to shoot any dogs that threaten livestock and that dog owners can be sued for damages under the Dogs (Prevention of Livestock) Act 1953.

Cornish Mutual’s business development manager, Chris Ridgers, says he believes the figures are “just the tip of the iceberg” because many cases of sheep worrying go unreported.

Earlier this month, two Rottweilers savaged and killed 15 sheep in a field near Denbigh in North Wales.

Four more sheep needed treatment by a vet and the dogs were eventually shot by a landowning neighbour.