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21
Jul 2020
Last Updated: 20/07/2020
North Yorkshire police warn of increase in livestock attacks
Following an increase in livestock attacks, North Yorkshire Police is appealing for dog owners to take more care when out walking in the countryside.
North Yorkshire Police has urged dog owners to be more responsible after an increase in attacks on livestock.
The police issued the appeal after noticing an upturn in incidents in the Harrogate area over the last week.
More people are visiting the countryside as lockdown restrictions are eased, which has led to more dog attacks on sheep.
Inspector Matt Hagan, head of North Yorkshire's rural taskforce, said:
"Owners need to stick to the countryside code and keep their dogs under control even if that means they have to stay on a lead. You are responsible for their behaviour so keep it under control. If your dog is involved in an incident please report it as a lot of the time the owner may see no-one and just head off but they do have a duty to report it.
"If you're out and about and see anything please report it too because it's difficult following these kinds of reports up, but if you report it at the time and it's more likely we can do something."
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One of the incidents reported to the police this month involved a husky which managed to run through a fence and chase sheep. Police officers were called to an incident on July 12 near Thruscross Reservoir, near Harrogate, by a farmer who reported a dog had attacked a lamb on his land.
The farmer accepted an apology from the dog's owner and the police issued a community resolution. North Yorkshire's rural police force are keen to highlight the financial and emotional impact these attacks can have on their livelihoods.
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