DPFCC, Mike Johnson, Cumbria Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team, and NFU are raising awareness around livestock worrying and theft. 

Since the introduction of the Rural Crime Team in Cumbria on September 19, 2023, Cumbria Constabulary has received nine reports of dogs worrying livestock where the dog owner was present.

Within these nine reports, there were five incidents resulting in the injury of the animal and four resulting in a livestock death. In the same period, seven livestock thefts have taken place across the county.

DPFCC Mike Johnson said: “Livestock is an incredible asset to farmers across Cumbria and the loss of animals can have a tremendous effect on their livelihoods.

“Farmers put a lot of care into ensuring that their livestock are healthy to keep their business viable and having these animals stolen from them or carelessly killed due to a thoughtless dog owner really can impact them financially and psychologically.

“Cumbria is a mainly rural county which is why we introduced a dedicated Rural Crime Team to help tackle rural crime which includes livestock theft and worrying.

"The specialist, highly trained group of officers will support officers across the force responding to rural crimes."

Dog owners who are found by police allowing their dog to be off lead and worrying animals can face a fine of up to £1000 and farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs that are endangering their livestock.

Sergeant Amanda McKirdy, Cumbria Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team, said: “Our Rural Crime Team works closely with the NFU and our farming communities, so we know only too well the impact which livestock worrying and theft can have on the farming industry in Cumbria.

“We do not tolerate criminals targeting livestock and we will do everything we can to identify offenders and hold people accountable for their actions."

NFU County Adviser, James Airey added: “Highly organised gangs of criminals have continued to plague the British countryside, stealing expensive GPS equipment, livestock, high-value farm machinery, as well as trespassing on private land.

“It is good news that we have a dedicated Rural Crime team now in Cumbria to help combat these issues that disrupt important farm work, it places additional pressures financially and emotionally on farmers and their families."