A farmer has gifted nine cows to a fellow farmer, who lost his Highland cow, Gladis, and an unborn calf in a dog attack.
Cameron Farquharson of Eggardon Hill Farm has received the animals from Stan Sadler, who was touched by Gladis’ story.
Gladis the cow
Gladis, a Highland cow, and 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 the law to insist that dogs are kept on a 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.”
Their deaths sparked a call for a change in legislation to make it mandatory to keep dogs on leads when walking near livestock.
A group is now working together to bring about this change to give livestock more protection.
They have urged the public to sign their petition. Their website, states there are “too many incidents of dog attacks on livestock, causing financial and mental heartbreak to farmers”.
9 Highland cows
In a statement on social media earlier this month, Gladis’s Law; protecting livestock, informing dog owners, said:
“Last week, Cameron Farquharson took delivery of 9 new Highland cows which have been gifted from an amazing Scottish farmer who heard about what had happened to Gladis and her unborn calf.”
“The public has been amazing to me and my family. But, when I received a call and was offered these cows, it reduced me and my family to tears, and was overwhelmed by the gesture.”
“Our campaign is still working hard. We understand there are some very senior politicians supporting us in parliament.”
“If you have not signed the petition, please do so at www.gladis-law.com. Every name counts,” they concluded.
The group of campaigners hope that this can be enacted into law by mid-next year.
