Nearly one in four farmers has considered getting out of sheep farming as a result of attacks by dog on their stock.
Results from a survey by the National Sheep Association (NSA) reveal 24% of farmers affected by sheep worrying incidents said they had considered giving up.
The survey of 233 sheep farmers across the UK found the overwhelming majority – 85% – report that stress was the main impact of dog attacks to them and their flock.
It also revealed other impacts of sheep worrying on farmers with 46% of respondents saying they felt anxious about spending time away from their farm, 35% reporting that it had a negative impact on their family/social life and 30% saying they had suffered from depression as a result of the attacks.
When the farmers were asked what the single most damaging impact of worrying was, the most frequent answer was living with the anxiety of another attack.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “Highlighting and raising awareness of this issue is a major remit for NSA, which is why we have gathered this evidence. In no way do we want to discourage people from getting out and enjoying the great British countryside, but it is vital that everyone appreciates any dog is capable of carrying out an attack on livestock if it is off the lead or left to roam unsupervised.
“The impact attacks have on the welfare of sheep is huge, but what this survey has revealed for the first time is the wider implications on farmers and their families.”
He said the farmers surveyed had also revealed the unpredictable situations they found themselves in when asking dog walkers to abide by the law and keep their dog on a lead.
According to the survey, which is now in its third year, a quarter of farmers received negative responses from members of the public with 44% saying this came in the form of verbal abuse.
The survey also found that the majority of attacks on sheep occurred in private or enclosed fields with no public footpath or right of way.
Lastly the survey found that only 34% of farmers surveyed said they reported every incident, and only 39% of those who had reported the incident to the police were given a crime reference or incidence number logging the crime.
Mr Stocker said he hoped the findings from the survey would encourage dog owners to keep their dog on a lead at all times around sheep and for dogs to never be allowed to roam unsupervised.”