A Suffolk sheep farmer who has seen six of his lambs die in the last year and dozens injured following dog attacks is pleading with owners to act responsibly this spring.

Tim Pratt manages Wantisden Hall Farms near Woodbridge for the Kemball family - which includes a large vegetable growing operation - and sheep.

He has more than 1,000 ewes and young lambs now grazing the land - but is worried that a spring influx of dog walkers who allow their animals to roam uncontrolled will lead to another spate of attacks.

“We’ve had a steady stream of attacks in the last year which have left six lambs dead and many more injured," he said.

"The problem is dog walkers who let their dogs roam off lead and think they’re ‘playing’ if they chase sheep.

“Just about every dog walker says their dog wouldn’t attack sheep - and they don’t understand that chasing them round the fields can cause ewes to abort. Recently we’ve had large groups of sheep chased by dogs.

“They’ve become so stressed that they have knocked down electric fencing to try and escape and it’s taken us hours and hours to round them up and put the fences back together.”

Rural insurer NFU Mutual is urging for dog owners to act responsibly after  its latest survey of more than 1,100 dog owners found 46% did not believe their dog was capable of causing the death or injury of farm animals.

More people were letting their dogs off leads in the countryside last year than in 2022, 68% and 64% respectively, it found.

Less than half (49%) said their pet always comes back when called and almost eight percent admitted their dog chases livestock.

In Tim's case, police took action against the owner of a dog following one sheep worrying incident and the dog owner agreed to pay compensation.

“The local police have been very supportive and provided us with warning signs to put up on stiles and gates to get home the message that people need to keep their pets on the lead when there is any chance that sheep could be nearby,” he said.

Tim’s grazing land lies in the picturesque Wantisden Valley and has a public footpath running through it and is very popular with walkers. 

Tim has managed the mixed 1,700-acre farm for 16 years. He is a prize-winning breeder of Dorset Horn sheep and is also head sheep steward at the Suffolk Show.

NFU Mutual has welcomed the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill which improves police powers to deal with dog attacks on livestock which is making its way through parliament.

Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual’s Rural Affairs Specialist, said: “The shocking increase in the UK cost of dog attacks on livestock is incredibly alarming news for farmers, especially as the 2024 lambing season gets underway and pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are vulnerable.

“We’ve heard reports from farmers about the complacency and naivety of some dog owners who regularly allow their pets to roam off-lead in the countryside, seemingly unaware of the carnage the dog could cause, then are horrified when an attack happens.

“There have also been incidences where dogs have chased, injured and killed sheep and the owner is nowhere to be seen.

“Farmers are also living in fear of repeat attacks, which cause horrific and needless suffering to livestock and can traumatise all involved dealing with the aftermath.

“All dogs are capable of chasing, attacking and killing farm animals, regardless of breed, size or temperament."

Where attacks, it is important people accept responsibility and report it so injured animals are not left suffering in pain, she added.