A FARMER whose sheep have been attacked by several dogs over the past year has accused authorities of abandoning farmers.
Kathleen Bingham, who lives in Peterchurch, Herefordshire moved to the area in 2018 from Lincolnshire.
But since arriving in the county, she has seen the "devastating" results of dog attacks on her animals, including a lamb being killed in 2025.
"I love my sheep and I couldn't bear to see the animal covered in blood," she said.
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In another incident, she said, she "stumbled across one of my sheep with its leg completely ripped open", branding the damage "inhumane".
Mrs Bingham said that the only way she feels she could keep her livestock safe was if she never left her property.
"Short of being on your land 24/7 you have no way of protecting your animals.
"In the last year we have had three sheep deaths, they are increasing exponentially," she said.
She added that it was unclear whether the attacks are caused by un-leashed pets or abandoned dogs.
A survey of farmers from the National Sheep Association found that almost four in five (87 per cent) sheep farmers have experienced a dog attack on their flock in the past year, with many reporting multiple incidents.
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"The police aren't interested, rural crime has been on the increase," she said.
"We are completely left and abandoned.
"We've had tools missing from the field and we are left to rot. It's a national issue."
West Mercia Police said they cannot comment as no report was made, however, a spokesperson for the force said: "We would always encourage the public to report any incidents of crime or if they believe they have been a victim of crime to us.
"Our rural and business crime officers are committed to tackling the issues that matter to the local community."
When a dog you own or are in charge of attacks or chases livestock on agricultural land you can receive an unlimited fine and police given powers to detain dogs believed to pose an ongoing threat to livestock.
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