Wallingford farm calls for responsible dog ownership ahead of lambing season
Bishop's Court Farm have lost nine sheep to dog attacks in the last two years
Matthew Richardson, farm manager at Bishop's Court Farm in Dorchester-on-Thames, Wallingford, is calling for dog owners to keep their pets on leads to prevent harming livestock.
It comes as new figures from the National Farming Union (NFU) reveal that the South East was one of the worst-hit regions for dog attacks in 2025, with an increase of 137% from previous year.
Bishop's Court Farm has had nine sheep killed from dog attacks in the last two years.
Matthew said despite putting up signs and social media posts asking people to keep their dogs under control, they can be ignored.
"If someone wants to let their dog off the lead, they're going to let their dog off the lead which is a shame," he said.
"It's not like a playground for their dog. This is where we work and where we make our living and it's just a shame people don't respect that sometimes."
Dog attacks have resulted in significant financial strain on Bishop's Court Farm, with replacing killed sheep costing over £200 each, not including potential veterinary fees.
Data from the NFU also highlighted that the cost dog attacks have amounted to £330,000 in the South East alone.
Beyond the ones that have been killed, Matthew explained how the threat of a dog can be harmful the other sheep.
"All the flock would have been chased. They're then stressed and erratic and could be jumping in ditches or in the river," he said.
He added that this is especially dangerous in lambing season: "75% of lamb growth happens in the last six weeks of pregnancy so that's a massively stressful time on its own for the sheep. They need all the good food, they need a stress-free life as possible."
Matthew's message to local dog walkers is to keep their dogs on the lead if they are anywhere near livestock.
"When you're on a fence in footpath it might look okay, but your dog will soon find a gap or slip under a gate so just be mindful of that," he said.
He added that it is also important to make farm owners aware if an incident occurs.
"If anything does happen, just be honest and give us a call and we'll come and sort it out as quickly as possible."