The Police and Crime Commissioner for our area has warned dog walkers to keep their pets under control after an increase in livestock attacks.
MyWelshpool has also received an unconfirmed report of a dog being allegedly shot by a landowner close to the town and Dafydd Llywelyn has warned that dog owners could also be prosecuted if they fail to keep their dogs under control when out walking in the countryside.
Since the start of Lockdown 3, reports of livestock being attacked or killed by dogs have increased. A crunch meeting is taking place today between Mr Llywelyn, NFU representatives and the Dyfed-Powys Rural Crime team.
The Police and Crime Commissioner said: “This is a critical time in the rural community as farmers go into the lambing season, and in light of these recent, concerning incidents, I will be meeting with NFU representatives and our Rural Crime Team in the force to identify ways of working collaboratively to tackle the problem.
“Dog owners need to take responsibility for ensuring dogs are kept under control while out walking the country side, especially as we enter the lambing season.
“They may think it is fun to run around animals in fields, but this is not the case and these animals often get scared, injured or killed as a result.
“We are grateful to the majority of responsible dog walkers in our communities, but we want to remind all owners that dogs should be kept on leads at all times around livestock - it is an offence to allow your pet to worry, kill or maul sheep, their lambs, or any other livestock”.