Saturday, March 13, was a stunningly bright sunny day. Ramblers were out in force walking their dogs across open farmland enjoying the countryside and wonderful Cornish moorland scenery.
The fields around Siblyback Lake were full of strong healthy sheep nibbling the emerging spring grass and preparing for the arrival of their lambs in two weeks' time – idyllic.
At about 4pm, a dog chased one of these ewes until it dropped exhausted as the dog tore at and savagely bit away its jaw.
The tortured animal lay struggling and dying, its unborn lamb dying inside it.
Living in the countryside, especially on the higher ground of Bodmin Moor, is a hard life and this past winter for farmers has been particularly hard.
The farmer that owns these sheep worked hard all winter – his healthy flock a testament to the time, effort and money that he has invested in their well-being: all to be lost when irresponsible dog walkers come out into the countryside disregarding the notices and requests to keep dogs on leads – dead and injured stock are the end result.
Walkers should respect the land across which they walk, stay on the footpath and pick up the foul mess left by their dogs which contaminates grazing rendering it useless for stock.
Should they have the right to roam? I feel that many have lost that right and should be held accountable for their irresponsible actions.
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