Earlier in the month, we reported on another livestock attack in Macclesfield.

A dog of an unspecified breed was off their lead, and mauled a sheep.

Thankfully, the sheep survived, and it was just the one which was attacked.

It was part of the sixth warning against sheep worrying in Macclesfield of the year.

Now, the dog owner has been given a conditional caution, with no fine issued.

The human, dog, and farmer have all been unidentified.

PC Steven Kaminski of Cheshire Police Rural Crime team said: "Following on from a recent post regarding a livestock attack in Macclesfield, the suspect has now attended the Police Station and received a conditional caution."

"As a team we will always look to take positive action where possible.

"The farmer will be compensated in full for the cost incurred and there are also a number of conditions attached to the caution which are designed to address the owner and the dogs future behaviour."

"It's unfortunate that we continue to see these types of incident, however we will ensure that robust action is taken in an attempt to tackle the problem."

The maximum penalty for a dog owner in English sheep worrying incidents can be up to £1000 compensation and costs.

This pales in comparison to Scotland's maximum fine of £40,000.

The farmer would have claimed insurance after the incident.

Rural insurers NFU Mutual reported earlier in the year that the estimated cost of dog attacks on farm animals in the first quarter of 2021, which rose by a staggering 50 per cent.

The insurer reported that numbers started to rise sharply last year, when farm animals worth an estimated £1.3m were savaged by dogs – an increase of more than ten per cent on 2019.

Compensation for livestock attacks in England are according to the Animals Act 1971.

After an increase in visits to beauty spots during the pandemic, which then sees more lead-less dogs, it may be time for a rethink after this being the sixth Macclesfield sheep worrying article of the year.

Macclesfield Nub News have submitted a Freedom of Information Request regarding sheep worrying in 2020 and 2021.

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