NSA calls out Netflix for ‘ignoring’ severity of sheep worrying

The Nationwide Sheep Affiliation (NSA) has criticised Netflix after a Christmas movie on the streaming platform confirmed “full disregard” for the misery brought on by sheep worrying.

The affiliation mentioned it’s angered by the brand new household movie ‘Christmas on Mistletoe Farm’ as it’s “inadvertently ignoring the seriousness” of canine assaults on sheep.

NSA chief govt, Phil Stocker, mentioned: “After all this can be a light-hearted movie that many households will get pleasure from watching over the festive interval.

“Nonetheless, we should name out the truth that the intense downside many farmers face, of canines chasing and attacking sheep, has been ignored.

“All too typically farmers affected by an assault on their flock hear the phrases from canine homeowners, ‘he was solely taking part in’.”

In a scene from the brand new Netflix household movie, a farmer character is seen testing out his canine as a sheepdog – however the NSA mentioned it interprets what follows as a regarding case of sheep worrying by canines, because the Nice Dane “runs amongst the flock and chases a number of ewes, inflicting misery to the animals”.

“The scene from the movie does nothing to assist with the proper message that NSA and plenty of different farming organisations have been attempting to ship for years,” Stocker mentioned.

“What would possibly look like play to a canine proprietor may be very a lot one sided and prey animals resembling sheep are distressed by this typically with extraordinarily extreme consequence.

“Christmas on Mistletoe Farm reveals full disregard for this. If youngsters are to be entertained by canines chasing sheep on widespread movies, what hope have UK sheep farmers in lowering incidents of sheep worrying on their farms?”

Sheep worrying

The NSA mentioned nationwide holidays like Christmas and Easter see a rise in sheep worrying assaults and, because of this, believes the movie’s launch couldn’t have come at a worse time.

“Taking a stroll in our stunning countryside is one thing many households will get pleasure from over the approaching weeks, however NSA urges these strolling with canines to be accountable pet homeowners by holding their animals on leads and below management at any time when they’re close to sheep,” Stocker mentioned.

“Any canine, irrespective of its breed, could cause misery to sheep by barking, chasing and attacking them.

“It’s a critical animal welfare subject that places each sheep and far liked pets in danger. It must not ever be seen because the innocent enjoyable portrayed by this movie.”