Shropshire Star

Shropshire dog trainer sentenced after 37 sheep savaged to death by Rottweiler-crosses

A Shropshire dog trainer whose animals killed and injured dozens of sheep has been ordered to pay their owner £3,500 compensation.

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Charles Ross-Robertson

Charles Ross-Robertson of Stanton Lacy, near Ludlow, was also given a 12-month community order by magistrates.

The two Rottweiler-cross dogs that carried out the attack must be also destroyed – although not until a time-limit for an appeal has expired.

Ross-Robertson, 65, was sentenced at Hereford Magistrates Court where he had previously admitted that his dogs were responsible for the deaths of the sheep at a farm in Herefordshire last year.

At the time of the attack he lived at Risbury, near Leominster and ran a business specialising in training undisciplined and aggressive dogs.

He claimed to have worked with the police and the army.

But on September 2 his two dogs, Brindle and Bourneville, escaped and ran amok in a neighbouring field full of sheep.

Farmer Thomas Hadley described the field as being left “scattered” with dead animals.

The 37 sheep killed were worth approximately £21,000.

Ross-Robertson had pleaded guilty to being in charge of the dangerously out-of-control dogs.

As part of his community order he must undergo 12 days of rehabilitation and alcohol treatment programme.

Jonathan Evans, NFU Shropshire adviser, said after the case: “Thousands of sheep and cattle die as a result of injuries caused by dogs every year and these incidents cause distress for farmers and their livestock.

“People find it hard to believe that their pet can be a danger to livestock but whatever their temperament, dogs have a chase instinct that can be triggered by the sight or movement of farm animals.

“The great animal loving public would be horrified to see what damage an uncontrolled dog can do.

“Other indirect injuries can occur as a consequence of animals stumbling and suffering from broken limbs or lacerations as they try to escape through fencing, hedges or wire to get away from the animal that is chasing them.

“Farmers care for their animals, practice good husbandry and sheep attacks have major consequences for animal welfare and farm businesses in terms of both financial and emotional cost.

“The NFU has worked with the Kennel Club and others on advice for pet owners and we would urge dog walkers to keep their animals under close, effective control and on a short lead when they are near livestock and has also brought out signs for farmers to put up to highlight the issue to the public.

“We recognise the vast majority of dog owners are responsible but this is a timely reminder to keep dogs under control and on leads at all times when near to farms – especially those with livestock in the fields.

“The union has raised this issue in the past and continues to do so through its Back British Farming and Love Your Countryside campaign.”

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