CONCERNS have been raised by a local farmer following an incident of sheep worrying.

Sheep worrying can cause great distress to animals and can lead to pregnant ewes miscarrying their lambs, or the stress of sheep worrying may even lead to the death of a sheep.

Such attacks can also cause serious injuries to sheep even if they are not caught by a dog.

The farmer based at Arney, Bellanaleck, reported the incident of sheep worrying to the police when it occurred on Saturday.

Referring to the incident, a PSNI spokesman said: “Police received a report of sheep worrying in the Arney Road area of Enniskillen and the matter has been referred to the local dog warden."

The farmer was "very angry", and added: "This is not a new problem and is ongoing here. Police would ask dog owners to keep an eye on their dogs while out for a walk, and to keep dogs on a lead while around livestock.”

Sheep worrying is an annual issue for farmers, with the law being very clear on the matter, under the Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1993.

Among its wording, the Order says: “If a dog worries sheep by attacking or killing them, or chases sheep in a way that may cause injury, suffering or financial loss to their owner, the person in charge of that dog is guilty of an offence. The penalty for this offence is a fine of up to £1,000.”

With lambing season now started, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is also keen to highlight the issue of dog worrying of livestock and its potential consequences.

The Chair of the Council, Councillor Diana Armstrong, said: “Although the vast majority of dogs are well looked after and are friendly-family pets, all dogs have the potential to inflict injury and to worry livestock.

"Livestock worrying by dogs, particularly of sheep during lambing season, is a concern for farmers at this time, and can have serious consequences for the animal’s welfare.

"I would ask all dog owners to always act responsibly by keeping their dog under control.”