A sheep’s throat was badly injured when it was attacked by a dog near Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police last night issued an appeal for witnesses to the incident, which is the latest occurrence of sheep worrying in the district.
It happened at Stainburn between midday on Saturday May 13 and 9am on Sunday May 14.
Police said in a statement:
“A sheep was chased which resulted in a nasty injury to its throat.
“Officers from our rural task force are now requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“In particular, officers are appealing for information from anyone that might have been in the area at the time and witnessed the incident.”
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Anyone with information can email david.mackay@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for David Mackay.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote reference number 12230086282.
Police appeal after dog kills lamb in Harrogate district fieldA lamb has died and two ewes were attacked following a sheep worrying incident in a field on the edge of the Harrogate district.
North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened in Rainton, five miles from Ripon, on Wednesday (April 26) at around 11.20am.
A large German Shepherd was seen in a field attacking sheep. The dog was chased away but not before two ewes and a lamb had been attacked. The lamb died from its injuries.
Officers today appealed to the public for more information about the incident.
A police statement added:
“Officers are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. In particular, they are appealing for information from anyone that might have been in the area at the time and witnessed the incident, or can assist in identifying the owner of the dog.
“Anyone who has information that could assist is asked to email david.mackay@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask to speak to David Mackay.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230074349.”
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Police issue ‘keep dogs on lead’ plea after sheep killed near Harrogate
Police have urged people to keep dogs on leads in the countryside after a sheep died at Norwood, near Harrogate, following an attack.
North Yorkshire Police is investigating after four sheep were attacked by a dog on Friday, which left one dead.
The force described the dog involved as being light ginger in colour, and a similar size to a Hungarian Vizsla, but with a larger head.
Officers have appealed for further information about the incident.
A police statement today added:
“It is particularly upsetting at this time of year, as many sheep are carrying lambs.
“Anyone who was in the Norwood area around 1pm on Friday, 24 March who may have information on this incident, is urged to contact officers as a matter of urgency.”
Anyone with information on the incident can contact the force and quote reference 12230052829.
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Dog owners urged to keep dogs on leads after sheep attacks
Dog owners in the Harrogate district are being urged to keep their pets on leads by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust following two attacks on sheep at nature reserves last week.
The trust looks after more than 100 nature reserves across Yorkshire, including sites in Burton Leonard, Staveley, Bishop Monkton, Ripon and Upper Dunsforth, near Boroughbridge.
At a reserve in Huddersfield, an attack from a dog left one of the trust’s Hebridean grazing sheep with deep bite wounds.
Meanwhile, at Kilnsea Wetlands in East Yorkshire, pregnant ewes were chased by dogs, angering the local grazier.
As well as posing risks to livestock, dogs have also been trampling rare plants and bird nests.
The majority of ground-nesting birds are in decline in the UK, including curlews, woodcocks and skylarks. If dogs scare birds away from their nests, they leave chicks at risk.
A Skylark, one of the vulnerable ground-nesting birds.
Increasing instances of dogs disturbing wildlife has led the charity to issue the plea for owners to keep dogs on leads.
Rachael Bice, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s chief executive said:;
“Dog walking is one of the best reasons to get outdoors, feel great and enjoy our beautiful countryside – and we thank every responsible dog owner who keeps their dog on a lead and encourages others to do the same.
“Wildlife is suffering huge declines and dogs in wild places can cause problems, especially when many species are breeding and resting close to the ground.”
Jenna Kiddie, head of canine behaviour at the charity Dogs Trust, added:
“Dogs [should be] kept on a short lead, and close to their owners, whenever livestock are nearby, within seeing, hearing or smelling distance or whenever their presence is likely to be expected.
“It is important to remember that chasing is normal dog behaviour, and that any dog is capable of chasing, irrelevant of breed, type, age or size.”
You can find more info about being a nature-friendly pet owner here.
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Firefighters rescue trapped sheep from rising Oak Beck
A sheep stuck in brambles on a steep bank of Oak Beck was rescued by Harrogate firefighters yesterday.
Sandra Schiendorfer spotted the animal when she was walking her dog at Oak Beck Park yesterday morning.
She reported it to the land owner but noticed it was still stuck in the afternoon and the water was rising.:
Ms Schiendorfer said:
“When I went back with the dogs in the afternoon the poor thing was still there, but now the beck was rising, because of the heavy rain.
“I rang 101 who in turn contacted the fire brigade. They turned up very quickly with the animal rescue unit.
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North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log says it was alerted to the incident, near Oak Beck retail park, at 3.20pm yesterday. It adds:
“Crews from Harrogate and Ripon responded to reports of a sheep stuck in wire by the horns, in distress.
“Crews used wading poles, water rescue equipment, an animal halter and a salvage sheet to release the sheep back into the field.”
The sheep back in the field afterwards.
The annual Masham Sheep Fair will return to the town on Saturday and Sunday.
The fair commemorates Masham’s rich history of sheep farming and is one of the biggest events in the Harrogate district.
Susan Cunliffe-Lister and other volunteers started the sheep fair 30 years ago, initially as a one-off event to raise money for farmers in Africa.
It raised £7,950 and became an annual event, now raising £159,000 for Yorkshire charities.
She wanted to bring back an old tradition. Until the First World War, sheep farmers from across the Dales used to come to Masham each year to buy and sell as many as 80,000 sheep over the course of a few days.
Nowadays sheep farmers from across the UK come to Masham to compete. There are other events like sheepdog trials, tours of Theakstons and Black Sheep breweries, morris dancing, fleece stalls and even sheep racing to keep the crowds entertained.
Read more:
The schedule for the fair is below:
Saturday:
|
10.00 – Town Hall & School exhibitions open
10.00 – Harvest display & refreshments in Methodist Chapel 10.45 – Judging of Sheep Show commences 10.45 – Flower Festival opens in St. Mary’s Church 11.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall 12.00 – Trips around Theakston’s & Black Sheep Breweries start 12.00 – Sheep racing in field beyond churchyard 12.30 – Sheepdog demonstrations in field beyond churchyard 13.00 – Judging of Supreme Champion in Sheep Show 13.45 – Bishop Blaize procession from Maple Creek to the Square 14.00 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall 14.30 – Sheep racing over the sticks 15.00 – Sheepdog demonstration in field beyond churchyard 15.00 – Handbell ringing in Church 15.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall |
Sunday:
10.00 – Town Hall & School exhibitions open
10.30 – Morning Service in Methodist Chapel
10.45 – Harvest Festival Thanksgiving Service at St. Mary’s Church
10.45 – Judging of Sheep Show commences
11.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall
12.00 – Flower Festival opens in St. Mary’s Church
12.00 – Trips around Theakston’s & Black Sheep Breweries start
12.00 – Sheep racing in field beyond churchyard
12.00 – Refreshments start at Methodist Church
12.30 – Sheepdog demonstrations in field beyond churchyard
13.00 – Judging of Supreme Champion in Sheep Show
13.45 – Bishop Blaize procession from Maple Creek to the Square
14.00 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall
14.30 – Sheep racing over the sticks
15.00 – Sheepdog demonstration in field beyond churchyard
15.00 – Handbell ringing in Church
15.30 – Sheep Show on trailer in front of Town Hall
18.30 – Songs of Praise service in Methodist Chapel
Brimham Rocks Activity Farm closed over the weekend.
The visitor attraction, which was part of a working farm, was popular with families who were able to pet animals such as goats, donkeys and pigs.
There was also a cafe and indoor play area for children.
It was a mile away from the National Trust site Brimham Rocks.
But a post on its Facebook page last week said that last weekend would be its last.
The post said:
“It is with heavy heart that we have taken the decision to close the doors from the 4th September.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff & customers for their support over the years!”
The post added that the farm will still be continuing and taking bookings for mobile petting farms, hog roasts and reindeer hire.
The Stray Ferret called the farm for more details but was told the owners did not wish to comment.
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64 sheep worth tens of thousands of pounds stolen in Harrogate district
Police are appealing for witnesses after 64 sheep were stolen from a field near Boroughbridge.
Forty-eight ewes in lamb and 16 hoggs were taken from land off the A168 at Marton-cum-Grafton.
It happened between 5pm on April 27 and 7am the following day.
A statement by North Yorkshire Police today said the sheep were worth a total value of tens of thousands of pounds. It added:
“They were stolen from a field on Legram Lane. It is believed a wagon would have been used to take the sheep.
“Officers are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“In particular, they are appealing for information about any wagons in the vicinity in the early hours of 28 April, or anything else that may assist with the investigation.”
Of the 48 ewes, 39 are Beltex and 9 are Bleu du Maine. The 16 hoggs were all young Beltex sheep aged 9-18 months.
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Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Chloe Kinnear. You can also email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.police.uk
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220071650.
Police appeal after dogs chase sheep near BeckwithshawNorth Yorkshire Police is appealing for information after two dogs chased three sheep during lambing season near Beckwithshaw last week.
It took place on Thursday afternoon at around 2.50pm below the ruins of John of Gaunt’s castle, which is near Beaver Dyke Reservoirs.
A Dalmation dog, believed to be called Mabel, chased the ewes close to the public footpath.
A second black dog, which was medium-sized and believed to be called Parker, also joined in the chase.
Being in charge of a dog that worries sheep is a criminal offence.
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At this time of year, ewes are often heavily pregnant. Being chased by a dog can result in injury, suffering and even death.
Officers are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time who could assist the investigation.
They’d especially like to speak to a woman who was seen to be exercising a number of dogs in the area and also the owner of a black van which was parked in the parking area at the side of Pennypot Lane where the footpath to the reservoirs starts.
If anyone has information contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 select option 2 and ask to speak to PC Bill Hickson. You can also email bill.hickson@northyorkshire.police.uk – quote reference NYP-25032022-0069.
Firefighters rescue sheep from swollen River Ure in RiponFirefighters rescued a flock of sheep which managed to get stranded in the middle of the swollen River Ure in Ripon.
A crew from the fire station in Ripon worked with water and animal rescue teams to save 12 sheep from the fast-flowing water yesterday. Heavy rain had caused river levels to rise, cutting off the sheep from land.
The firefighters got the call at around 9am and headed straight to the river.
They waded into the water and used their bodies to slow the current before shepherding the animals away from harm.
Tom Harrison, a firefighter who was part of the rescue effort, told the Stray Ferret:
“Once we had located the sheep we set up a team and made a safe passage for them to cross the river.
“We didn’t need to use any equipment, we just stood in the water and used our bodies to slow the flow of water.
“When we managed to get one to leave the island the rest soon followed.
“All of the sheep managed to get away so yes I would say it was a successful operation.”
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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue added:
“Initial assessment from an officer to reports of approximately 12 sheep stranded on an island in the river.
“After confirming Fire and Rescue could assist in the rescue of the sheep, various water and animal rescue teams were sent to assist.”
This latest animal rescue comes almost a year after a similar incident with cows in the River Ure during the floods in November 2020.