EFFORTS to curb attacks on livestock by dogs will be in focus at the pinnacle of Wales agricultural calendar

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) will be handing out free gate-post warning signs as part of their Your Dog, Your Responsibility to help the industry raise awareness of the problems arising from irresponsible dog ownership at the Royal Welsh Show next weekend.

Despite numerous industry campaigns aimed at educating dog walkers, there were 449 cases of livestock attacks between 2013 and 2017 in North Wales alone, including an incident in march where two sheep were "brutalised"in Groes, near Denbigh. According to the FUW, this seemingly large number could be an underestimate as not all farmers are believed to report such attacks.

FUW senior policy officer Dr Hazel Wright said: “The impact of a dog attack on a farming family can be devastating. Alongside causing horrific injuries, one dog attack can cost thousands of pounds in lost stock, veterinary bills and reduced growth rates.

“In today’s market place with ever tighter margins, these additional costs have serious financial implications for the future solvency of the farm business.

“Our farmers are repeatedly faced with a field of dead or dying stock following a dog attack and many of them have now reached a financial and emotional breaking point.”

Around 15,000 sheep were killed by dogs in Wales 2016, which at £75 per carcase, resulted in a loss of £1.3 million.

The campaign, which launched in April, highlights the fact that 89 per cent of all dog attacks on livestock happen when dogs stray from home.

Education is part of the campaign - which also calls for changes in legislation, including giving the police more powers to get evidence for prosecution - with the signs aiming to highlight the devastation caused by dog attacks on livestock, as well as serious diseases that can be spread from dogs to cattle when owners do not clean up after their dog.

FUW members can pick up signs directly from any of the FUW’s 11 county offices across Wales, as well as from the FUW pavilion at the Royal Welsh Show

Dr Wright added:“We have therefore launched our farm-gate warning signs to provide members with a practical way to remind those walking dogs near livestock about their responsibilities and about the potential dangers."