A Lancashire farmer is arming herself after multiple sheep were attacked by dogs, highlighting rural tensions.
Chasing exhausts ewes, leading to death. Tracy doesn’t want to shoot any family pets, but farmers must protect their sheep. She thinks people don’t understand that even trained dogs change in the countryside; wildlife and smells alter their behavior.
Tracy confronted dog walkers before, and police told her to wear a body cam. Some dog walkers even threatened her. Her family farmed this land for a century, yet she says dog issues were never this bad. She feels forced to take a stand.
People must keep dogs on leashes and stay on the footpath. It is up to the owner to control their dog, as dog owners are fully responsible. Repeated dog attacks cost her money; she loses about six sheep yearly.
Her farm hasn’t shot a dog in 50 years, but the law allows it to protect sheep. Farmers can shoot a dog if it’s a real danger, and it’s only allowed if there’s no other choice. Dogs often kill sheep by tiring them out.
Tracy asks people to imagine being chased, comparing it to someone with an axe. She works really hard on the farm. Many walkers are around, especially on weekends, and numerous dogs among the sheep create a problem.