Forest of Dean Commoners’ Association concerns for sheep

Injured sheep are needlessly being left for days by the side of the road according to the Forest of Dean Commoners’ Association.

The running of sheep through public land is a Forest tradition dating back more than 800 years, and there are around 48 registered commoners in the district, writes Local Democracy Reporter Carmelo Garcia.

The Commoners’ Association is a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting the tradition of free roaming sheep in the Forest.

But general secretary Mick Holder says sheep are suffering needlessly because authorities are not following the agreed procedure of notifying when hurt or dead sheep are found.