Torridge District Council is reminding all dog walkers to please take care near sheep to avoid incidents of sheep worrying on the Northam Burrows. The Country Park is popular with dog walkers but is also a grazing common, where the residents of the ancient manor of Northam have exercised their right to graze animals for hundreds of years. It is currently home to a small group of horses as well as a large flock of sheep.
The flock is particularly vulnerable at this time of year as pregnant ewes can abort due to the stress caused by sheep worrying. Newborn lambs are also at increased risk of attack and, while it is always important to keep dogs under control, the Northam Burrows Ranger team is urging owners to take extra care at this time of year.
Sheep worrying is a criminal offence. Anyone that witnesses an incident can report it to the police on 101.
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