The South Downs. Alluring views, abundant with all sorts of wonderful creatures and home to some of Britain’s finest farmers. But we don’t always see the darkness of the South Downs and the harsh realities the farmers who maintain this spectacular land have to face.

During April of 2016, a cruel and unnecessary attack on a flock of sheep on a farm at the foot of the south downs took place. At 4 o’clock in the afternoon the owners of Upper Maudlin Farm, the Bower’s, got a call from walkers who had witnessed the horrifying event. When expecting the reported attack, it was found two sheep had been brutally killed by two unknown dogs. The police were shortly called after to which they managed to track down the owner of the two dogs. The owner was fined and banned from walking in or in close proximity of Upper Maudlin Farm.

Emily Bower, the daughter of the owners Claire and Phillip Bower, was there shortly on the scene after the phone call from the walkers. “I think this sort of attack is unnecessary and so not needed. It was horrible to see and something I don’t want to see again.”

Unfortunately, more attacks like this on livestock are becoming more and more common as some dog owners are becoming less lenient on keeping their dogs on their leads around livestock. A more recent attack happened at Olwsbeech Woods in West Sussex during May of 2017, where another sheep was brutally killed. The NSA (National Sheep Association) conducted a survey and found that the majority of sheep attacks happen in private fields with no footpaths. It was also found that 5 cases per year are reported but are steadily increasing, with 7 attacks already been reported in 2017 alone.

Overall, all of us as dog owners need to insure our dogs are kept on leads around livestock as even the friendliest of dogs can suddenly change. Together, we can all help to protect livestock and our dogs from harm and make the South Downs the best place to be for man and creature.

Lucy Robinson, Steyning Grammar Sixth Form