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The latest figures from the National Sheep Association reveal that incidents of sheep worrying are on the rise, with fears that penalties are too weak to act as deterrents.

The survey was completed by more than 300 National Sheep Association (NSA) members, and found that 70% had been victims of dog attacks.

See also: Sheep worrying advice for lambing time

Worse still, of the reported attacks, only 14% of farmers were notified by the owners of the offending dogs, leaving the remaining 86% to discover the attack themselves, or be notified by others, making it near impossible to pursue legal prosecution.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: It is really frustrating and upsetting.

The industry is on the verge of accepting that we are going to have to live with the consequences of dog attacks on sheep on a permanent basis.

So many people now are just blindly putting sheep worrying by dogs in the too difficult to deal with box and we are really struggling to find solutions.

The survey results also showed that the general feeling among farmers was that the attacks are expected and becoming the norm, and that 82% of respondents saw a need for additional powers or legislation to counter the issue.

Mr Stocker said: The proposed level of maximum fine in the Kept Animals Bill is completely inadequate at 1,000 similar legislation went through in Scotland a year ago and saw the penalty raised to 40,000 or a prison sentence.

This is a real deterrent and sends out a real marker to the dog-owning community that this is a serious issue.

I still feel there is a need for legislation for dogs having to be kept on leads in the vicinity of sheep.

But keeping dogs on leads has proven problematic in itself, as 70% of farmers reported facing abuse, intimidation, refusal and general negativity when they approached dog owners to request dogs be put on leads.

Mr Stocker added: I have today sent a letter to Therese Coffey and Mark Spencer, airing our frustration about the slowness of passage through parliament of the Kept Animals Bill, and opening the conversation about making it more fit for purpose.

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NSA report reveals 70% of farmers abused and intimidated by dog ... - FarmersWeekly