A farmer is calling on the public to sign a petition to support Gladis’ Law.
It seeks to change legislation to make it mandatory to keep dogs on leads when walking near livestock.
The campaign is the result of the death of Gladis, a Highland cow, which, along with her full-time unborn calf, were killed by “two dogs off their lead”.
The incident occurred on Eggardon Hill in Dorset on May 26th, 2021, as reported by us.
The farmer said:
“Had I been informed at the time, Gladis would not have possibly languished all night in serious injury, pain and distress. We might have been able to save her and her unborn calf.”
“We are campaigning for a change in law to insist that dogs are kept on lead when in areas where livestock could be.”
“Also, we are working on educating dog owners on the capabilities of their dogs. We want dog owners to understand that no dog can be 100% guaranteed not to chase. Popping dogs on leads when near livestock is the responsible thing to do.”
Gladis’ Law
A Facebook page entitled Gladis’s Law; Protecting livestock, informing dog owners has been created.
A post on this page reads as follows:
“As you are probably far too aware, the number of dog attacks on livestock have increased massively.”
“Only two weeks, there was a dreadful dog attack on Gladis, a beautiful Highland cow belonging to a friend of mine Cameron Farquharson. Gladis, the cow, was killed only days before she was due to calf.”
“Cameron, his family and myself are now working with a group of farmers, farming-related businesses and a local MP to bring about a change in the law to give livestock more protection.”
“The MP is helping us every step of the way and very confident that we can get it through parliament.”
The group wishes to make contact with farmers and general livestock owners who have experienced dog attacks or worrying on their livestock.
“We are trying to collate as much evidence of the problem as possible. This will help with getting the bill through parliament.”
On their website, they stressed that there are “too many incidents of dog attacks on livestock, causing financial and mental heartbreak to farmers”.
