DOG owners who fail to keep their pet under control which results in an attack on sheep are not facing due punishment, an assembly member has said.

Llyr Gruffydd, AM for North Wales has called for urgent action to be taken in the wake of another fatal attack on livestock by a dog.

The latest incident in Llanferres on July 30 resulted in the death of two ewes, and three lambs were injured and had to be put to sleep. It followed an attack just days before at the farm where two sheep were found injured and required veterinary attention.

North Wales Police launched an appeal for information related to the fatal attack, stating that the dog is a ‘brown Lurcher type’ which was not with its owner at the time.

Mr Gruffydd’s call has been backed by farming unions amid a growing number of attacks across Wales. “This is precisely the kind of attack we’re trying to get the powers to tackle,” he said. “The four main pieces of legislation that currently cover livestock attacks are all antiquated and do not fit with current agricultural practices or the seriousness of the offence.

“A change in the legislation is necessary to ensure the seriousness of this offence is understood, and that Welsh police forces have the powers to properly trace and deal with offenders.”

Recent figures from North Wales Police showed there were 449 cases of dog attacks recorded in the area between 2013 and 2017. Almost nine out of 10 of these dog attacks occurred when pets strayed from home.

Mr Gruffydd said he feels that the problem is specific to Wales and that the UK Government “isn’t interested” in enacting new legislation. “Farmers are fed up with inaction,” he added.