Operation Recall - National livestock worrying campaign

Officers from Warminster Neighbourhood Policing Team were joined by Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, this week to conduct rural mobile and foot patrols. This operation was conducted in order to highlight issues around livestock worrying and speak with dog walkers, with a view to protect livestock and dogs. Officers visited the following locations:

Fonthill Bishop, Tisbury

Heaven's Gate, Warminster

Cley Hill, Warminster

Win Green, Salisbury

Battlesbury Hillfort, Warminster

White Sheet Hill, Mere

On average, Wiltshire Police receive two reports a month about livestock worrying. This can involve livestock being chased, feeling threatened and distressed by barking dogs, or physical attacks. Being chased by a dog causes animals stress and anxiety, it can lead to pregnancy loss in livestock and, in some cases, severe attacks can result in injury or even death. Livestock worrying also has an adverse impact on the farmers themselves, both in terms of their livelihood and the emotional toll of seeing their animals suffer. With more awareness and self-responsibility, people can enjoy their pets, the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, and keep livestock safe.

Wiltshire Police kindly request that members of the public consider livestock in rural areas:

Keep dogs on a short lead when around livestock

Clear up after your dog, as faeces can harm cattle and sheep – and humans too!

Consider your actions and the effect they can have on other people’s lives and livelihoods

Do not tamper with farm signs and electric fences that are intended to keep everybody safe, as this could have serious consequences

Follow instructions on signs and gates. Do not remove signs that are there to keep people safe and always leave gates how you found them

If you see a dog chasing livestock, please call 999 and provide as much information as possible - photo or video evidence of any dogs may help, so long as this can be captured safely. For more information, visit the Wiltshire Police website.

Take a look at some pictures of PC Russell, PCSO Hunt and PCC Wilkinson conducting the rural patrols below.