North Wales Police teams up with scientists for 'UK first' DNA project
Date of alert:
Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Wales - North Wales Police
North Wales Police have collaborated with a forensic research team in a UK first to provide support to future livestock attack investigations.
With funding provided by DEFRA, North Wales officers have united with scientists at Liverpool John Moores University to implement a DNA-based investigation process to identify dogs suspected to have committed attacks on livestock.
According to industry data, dog attacks on livestock cost British farmers £1.52 million last year.
RCT Officer and NPCC Secretary for Livestock Offences, Dave Allen hopes that his team’s work will yield positive results and that other forces can adopt the same processes in future investigations.
He said: “On average in North Wales there are around 120 dog attacks on livestock per year.
“Most of these are committed by dogs that have escaped from their homes and many of these incidents involve attacks on sheep.
