Farmers fear rising dog attacks this Easter as incidents surge

Livestock worth £2.4m were severely injured or killed by dogs last year, up nearly 30% compared to 2022, and farmers are fearing more attacks this Easter.

In England, the south west was the worst-hit region by cost, with dog attacks costing around £359,000, followed by the Midlands, at £331,000.

The figures have been released today by NFU Mutual, which has called the public to be 'extra vigilant' as the Easter holidays loom.

This year’s lambing season is well underway, and farmers are worried that an influx of out-of-control dogs this Easter could cause carnage to new-born lambs out in the fields.

NFU Mutual's recent survey of over 1,100 dog owners found more people were letting their dogs off leads in the countryside last year than in 2022, 68% and 64% respectively*.