There are fresh calls for dog owners to respect the countryside in response to more mutt attacks on cattle in the borough.

Lockdown has seen an increase in dog ownership as people connect with new companions, but there has been an unfortunate downside – an increase in attacks on farm animals when dogs are let off leads in our borough's beautiful countryside.

We have reported some abhorrent sheep injuries caused by Macclesfield pets on several occasions this year.

But even as COVID-19 restrictions have eased, giving people more places to visit than just a country walk, the frequency and severity of the incidents have not waned.

A dog attacked Longhorn cattle at Teggs Nose, Macclesfield recently, which caused great distress to the animals and also to local people, who witnessed what happened.

Six metres of drystone wall topped with barbed wire was demolished by the cattle as they tried to get away from the dog, at which point most of them received multiple lacerations from the barbed wire and stones.

Another incident at the end of last month, was the mauling of a sheep by a pooch in Pott Shrigley.

It was mutilated on the top of their head, by an unleashed dog.

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Cheshire Police Rural Crime PC Jim Clark said "Another day another Livestock attack. A fairly brutal attack on the top of this sheeps head.

"Pott Shrigley Cricket Pitch isn't an ideal spot to allow your dog off a lead and not have it under control, especially when there are plenty of livestock in the fields that surround it.

"This matter has been dealt with between the farmer and the dog owner and resulted in a very gracious response from the farmer, don't take the risk that the courts may not be so amenable should you end up before them.

"Your dog, your responsibility no excuses really."

According to NFU Mutual research with more than 1,200 dog owners, 88 per cent of people say they now walk their dog in the countryside. This figure has significantly increased due to lockdown.

Meanwhile, a whopping 64 per cent say they let their dog run free off the lead - half admit their pet doesn't always come back when called.

The UK's leading rural insurer, have also revealed 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.

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The pandemic is likely to blame, with new pets and the reason where for much of 2020, exercise was the only leisure activity allowed.

A surge in lockdown pets and countryside visits, along with a lack of awareness about how dogs will behave around farm animals are believed to be driving the rise.

There are growing concerns that out of control and escaped pets will continue to wreak havoc over the summer.

Rebecca Davidson, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: "NFU Mutual's latest figures confirm the harrowing reports coming in from across the UK of livestock being horrifically injured and killed by out of control dogs.

"The suffering to animals and the anxiety for farmers could be easily prevented if people kept their dogs on a lead when out in the countryside."

Authorities hope Macclesfield residents and visitors may wish to think twice with the impact on the farmer's livelihood and animal's lives.

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, said: "For very understandable reasons there has been a huge increase in the number of people becoming pet owners in the last 15 months."

The Macclesfield East councillor added: "With ownership comes responsibility though and I would like to urge all dog owners to remain in complete control of their pets when they are out enjoying our borough's many beautiful nature spots.

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"Please keep your dog on a lead when anywhere near livestock."

The penalty for dog-on-sheep violence in England is a fine of up to £1,000.

Earlier this year in Scotland, a bill passed which increased penalties to a fine of £40,000 or 12 months imprisonment for livestock worrying.

For advice on how to enjoy the countryside with your dog responsibly, please head to this national government webpage.

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