THE Farmers’ Union of Wales is calling on the UK Government to toughen legislation relating to dog attacks on livestock to help reduce the severe welfare and financial consequences that occur when sheep are stressed, injured, mutilated or killed by dogs.

Earlier this year, a new Protection of Livestock (Scotland) Bill was proposed in Scotland, which would see an increase in penalties for offenders and additional powers to investigate and enforce the offense of livestock attacks.

The consultation relating to the bill ends in May.

“Whilst the FUW would not want to mirror all elements of the proposed bill in Scotland, the creation of this bill represents a significant and positive shift change in the way that this type of crime is viewed, enforced and punished,” said Dr Hazel Wright, FUW senior policy officer.

“It is imperative that Wales follows Scotland in viewing dog attacks as a serious crime.

“There is growing frustration and anger amongst our membership that very little can be done to protect the livestock sector from dog attacks.

"Educational campaigns alone will fail to make any significant in-roads and the FUW is therefore calling for legislative changes that will provide police forces with more powers to obtain evidence for prosecution, seize dogs, ban offenders from keeping dogs and have dangerous dogs destroyed.”

Amongst the legislative changes advocated by the FUW are the call for an expanded definition of livestock, powers to allow police to collect DNA samples from suspect dogs, responsibility under law for a dog owner to report an attack and tougher penalties for offenders.

“The fines levied on offenders must... be proportionate to the losses incurred on the farm business," added Dr Wright.

"It is for this reason that the FUW is calling for changes to the current limited and outdated fines.

“Most members of the public are able to use the countryside without incident.

"However, where dog attacks do occur, farmers should be able to rely on the legal system to protect their livelihoods and safeguard their business by acting as a proper deterrent.

"It is essential that positive legislative changes are made to help safeguard both dog and livestock welfare in Wales.”