A Case of Sheep Worrying
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X6804100110 |
| Date | 01 January 1968 |
| Author | Joseph K. Ainsley |
| Published date | 01 January 1968 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
INSPECTOR
JOSEPH
K.
AINSLEY
West Sussex Constabulary
Inspector Ainsley was the Detachment Officer in the case he
describes below
A CASE OF
SHEEP
WORRYIN~
Official concern at the serious loss of sheep due to "sheep-
worrying" by uncontrolled dogs was reflected by the passing into
law in July. 1953.of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act. which
provides for the punishment of persons whose dogs worry sheep
on agricultural land. The following figures supplied by the
National Farmers' Union indicate the gravity and seriousness of
the situation. During' 1953. 4.958 sheep were killed. and 3.948
injured. In 1954. 5,459 were killed. and 4.325 injured. Only those
who have seen the victims of "sheep-worrying" can realize the
enormous cruelty and agony involved. to say nothing of the
finan-.
cia1
loss.
This is an account of a successful prosecution by the West
Sussex constabulary resulting from careful investigation and co-
operation on the part of C.LD. and detachment officer. and the
valuable assistance rendered by the staff of the forensic laboratory.
New Scotland Yard.
Killers
A farmer grazed some 300 sheep on the Sussex Downs. near
Arundel. At about 3 p.m. on January 18. 1955. the licensee of
a public house on the A.29 road some two miles from where the
sheep were grazing. saw three Alsatian dogs running along the
main road in the general direction of the flock.
About 4p.m. the same afternoon the farmer who owned it was
informed that his sheep were being attacked by dogs. Seizing a
12 bore shotgun. he immediately made his way to the field in
which the flock was grazing. There he saw three Alsatian dogs
chasing the sheep. He fired at the dogs and they made off into
some nearby woods.
When he examined his flock. he found that three ewes had been
mauled. mostly at the neck. shoulders and hindquarters. two of
them so badly that they had to be slaughtered immediately.
At 11 p.m. the same day. he received information that his sheep
were again being attacked. Once more he went out with his gun.
With assistance he made a search for the marauding dogs. In the
meantime. the searchers found a number of dead and dying sheep
scattered over a wide area. As before. they were badly mauled.
January
1968 27
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