Sheep producers told to cover flocks for dog attacks

Farmers are being advised to take out extra insurance to cover losses from sheep worrying – a growing problem which one insurer has described as “inevitable”.

Charlotte Wilson, of Farmers and Mercantile (F and M), said the insurer had seen an escalation in the number of claims as a result of attacks by dogs on sheep.

“While the first step should always be to educate the public, other steps do need to be taken to protect farmers from what now, unfortunately seems almost like the inevitable,” she said.

“Although there is no protection for emotional losses, by having sheep worrying cover on your farm insurance policy, the loss of income from the incident is at least negated.”

She said the chances of attacks had increased since more houses had been built in rural areas.

Ms Wilson added: “With the unfortunate likelihood that the culprits will not be caught and brought to justice, livestock farmers really should be looking at making sure their insurance protects them.”

F and M provides cover for sheep worrying as an extension to a standard livestock policy and it applies on both owned and rented grazing land.