Dog owners offered sheep safety course by farmer

Tobin Bird began the training courses after some of his livestock were injured by a loose dog

A sheep farmer is offering safety courses to dog owners as he prepares to release young livestock into his fields.

Tobin Bird from Woodside Farm near Benenden, Kent, began the courses after suffering losses through dog attacks.

The training discourages dogs from worrying sheep by making them associate loud noises with the animals.

Mr Bird is also urging owners to keep pets on leads while in the countryside.

"I had a dog chasing my sheep, it was having a whale of a time," he said.

"I had a flock of 100 sheep, they all bundled over the fence. In doing so one of the sheep broke its leg.

"Ewes that are in lamb can miscarry, the stress could kill them."

Tobin's own border collie Poppy is a highly trained sheep dog

In 2023 Mr Bird helped train about 500 pets.

He introduces them to a pen of sheep, while loudly rattling a bottle.

"By the end of the session the majority just want to avoid the livestock," he said.

He also warned keeping your dog on a lead is the best way to comply with the law on keeping it under control.

"If you're unable to call your dog off anything, wildlife or livestock, it's not under control."

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