The Nationwide Sheep Affiliation (NSA) has launched its annual survey on the impacts of sheep worrying by canines in a bid to achieve perception into its results on the UK’s sheep business.

The affiliation has gathered knowledge from UK sheep farmers on the issue for the previous 10 years and is inviting farmers to contribute to this yr’s survey earlier than its cut-off date of Wednesday, March 15.

The NSA stated the timing of its survey launch, which is all the time in winter or spring, is critical as a result of it’s at a time when sheep flocks are particularly weak – within the ultimate phases of being pregnant – and they’re prone to miscarrying.

NSA chief government Phil Stocker stated the affiliation is urging anyone beforehand affected by the problem of sheep worrying to finish the survey.

“Your contribution helps to create a extra correct illustration on the depth of the problem, important for the NSA when working in direction of elevated understanding of the issue,” he stated.

“Whether or not that be from the UK’s dog-loving public or the UK authorities that decides what laws regulates the act and punishes these discovered responsible of permitting assaults to occur.”

The NSA describes sheep worrying by canines as a scenario the place a “canine(s) chases and/or bodily assaults sheep inflicting vital stress to sheep and subsequent devastating issues”.

These issues can contains the miscarriage of lambs, bodily damage and, in extreme instances, the deaths of a number of sheep.