Police in the UK has issued a statement following an incident in Axminster, Devon.
A heavily pregnant cow was chased by a number of youths with a dog on private land on the 9th of May. As a result of the incident, both the cow and unborn calf died.
Just a few days later on the 15th of May, a similar incident was reported where a group of teenagers were chasing cows in another field.
A police spokesperson said that these incidents are offences under the Protection of Livestock Act 1953 under the term “worrying livestock.”
They explained that the word ‘worrying’ means:
- Attacking livestock;
- Chasing livestock in such a way as may be reasonably expected to cause injury or suffering; in the case of ewes, this includes abortion or loss or reduction in the number of offspring.
The spokesperson explained that the owner of the livestock or the land can kill or injure a dog in order to protect their livestock, including shooting a dog that is worrying or attacking their livestock.
