Livestock worrying in Devon and Cornwall in 2021

Last year police had 148 reports of livestock worrying across Devon and Cornwall.

While this is a slight reduction from the previous year, there is a significant rise in the number of animals killed or injured - 350, report the rural crime team.

Worse still, these numbers are likely to be much higher due to under reporting and the longer term effects of an incident where the distress can cause a sheep to die or miscarry their lambs long after the event.

It can often be difficult to attribute longer term issues to a specific incident.

This week a study was released showing that almost three-quarters of dog owners now allow their pet to roam in the countryside off the lead - even though half say their dog doesn't always come back when called.

This is ten per cent more than a year ago.