Rural crime team at work Police in Wiltshire have increased patrols amid a crackdown on rural crime. This weekend (Saturday 13 March) Wiltshire Police’s Rural Crime Team were joined by members of the Special Constabulary and the Ministry of Defence Police to carry out a dedicated day of action to target areas known for poaching offences and hare coursing. Officers are working to put on more “intelligence-led patrols” at all hours of the day and night to locate offenders. Making use of local contacts, such as community policing teams, as well as more specialised organisations, such as the police’s drone unit, the Rural Crime Team say they are doing “all that we can to track down offenders and investigate all angles to prosecute.”
The sheep involved has been treated by a vet. At the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Devenish reserve, the sheep are regularly found spooked and distressed after contact from unmanaged dogs. They say: Visitors to nature reserve sites are asked to always observe the clearly visible signs, telling them that dogs must be kept on leads and kept out of certain sensitive areas entirely. The Trust has had wildlife and livestock killed and injured by dogs previously, and the stress to them alone can cause considerable harm. The Trust is urging all dog owners who visit one of their sites to please keep all dogs on the lead, to help protect the health and happiness of the wildlife and animals who live there.
Sheep treated for injuries after second dog attack in Wiltshire A second sheep worrying incident has been reported to Wiltshire Police this month. On Tuesday (January 26) police in Corsham were informed of a dog attack in a field between Rudloe and the A4. A spokesman from the force said: “Due to the fresh snow, tracks showed the dog leaving the field and entering Rudloe in the Long Close Avenue area. The sheep involved has been treated by a vet. “Dogs worrying or attacking sheep can be shot by the farmer, the owner can also face enforcement action as a result.”