Yorkshire Wildlife Trust urges caution after dog attack on sheep at Potteric Carr

The incident has been reported to police

Author: Matt SoanesPublished 13th Mar 2026

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has issued a statement following the death of a sheep due to a dog attack at Potteric Carr nature reserve in Doncaster.

The incident, which has been reported to the police, is among several similar occurrences over the past two years, including attacks on both sheep and seals at the Trust's nature reserves.

The Trust says careless owners continue to pose a risk to wildlife by allowing dogs off-lead in areas where grazing animals and ground-nesting birds are present.

"The Trust remains deeply concerned by repeated instances of trespass and livestock worrying, a frustration shared by many landowners across the region and the wider UK" a statement reads.

"Situations like this are deeply distressing and cost us time and money – precious resources that we rely on for conservation work."

"Our grazing animals are a vital part of our conservation work on our nature reserves across the county, and are well-loved by staff, volunteers and members of the public" it added.

It's urging dog owners to be responsible and not let their pets off lead in areas where livestock is present.

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