THE MALVERN Hills Trust is urging residents and visitors to plan ahead and keep dogs on leads this spring to protect the birth of newborn lambs as lambing season begins.
The appeal follows a rise in sheep-worrying incidents in 2025, which the Trust states has significant consequences for both pregnant ewes and newborn lambs.
In 2025, the Malvern Hills Trust recorded 15 dog-chasing incidents, 10 livestock attacks and five sheep killed by dogs. All of these incidents increased compared to the previous year.
Sheep worrying doesn’t only mean a dog attacking a sheep. Even chasing, barking at, or running towards sheep can cause extreme stress, leading to miscarriages, injuries, or lambs becoming separated from their mothers.
Once separated, young lambs can quickly weaken and die from cold or starvation.
Deborah Fox, CEO said: “Sheep-worrying causes distress for everyone involved, including the livestock, the farmers who care for them, the rangers responding to incidents, and the dog owners who never intend for harm to occur.”
To help prevent further incidents this lambing season, Malvern Hills Trust is asking walkers to keep their dogs on a lead, check Stockwatch before walking on the Hills to see where sheep are grazing, stay on marked paths, particularly where lambs are present.
They are alao asking walkers to report any worrying or chasing incidents to the police on 101 and inform the Trust’s office by calling 01684 892002 so they can alert the grazier to attend.
Deborah added: “These steps help protect pregnant ewes, lambs, local farmers, and the dogs themselves.”
On Thursday, officers from West Mercia spent a day on the Hills to help prevent livestock worrying.
The rural crime team was joined by partner agencies at the Goldmine trail to the Worcestershire Beacon, a popular route for dog walkers, to raise awareness following a change in the law on livestock worrying.
Working alongside representatives from the National Sheep Association, staff from the Malvern Hills Trust, the NFU, and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office, officers attended Upper Beacon Road with an engagement vehicle to provide advice on the new requirements and the importance of keeping dogs under control around sheep and cattle.
The change in the law came into force on Wednesday and means the maximum fine for dog owners is now unlimited, replacing the old maximum of £1,000.
Police can now seize and detain dogs suspected of attacking or worrying livestock, enter premises to seize dogs, and collect DNA evidence/tooth impressions to assist in investigations.
During the engagement exercise, owners were advised to keep dogs on a lead, even if they are well trained, and to take steps to prevent them entering grazing areas on the hills.
Rural and Business Crime Officer (RABO) Pete Meredith said: “Today’s event provided an opportunity to speak with dog walkers about responsible ownership, which is essential to preventing livestock worrying.
“Always keep your dog under control and on a lead around livestock, even if you believe your dog is well trained.
“Even well-behaved dogs can display predatory behaviour around livestock such as sheep and cattle. This can cause animals to become extremely stressed or injured, and in some cases can be fatal.
“Livestock worrying is not only a serious animal welfare issue; it can also cause significant distress and financial loss for farmers whose animals graze on the Malvern Hills.”
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, who funds five Rural and Business Crime Officers in West Mercia said: “This engagement is a great example of West Mercia Police and partners coming together to educate dog walkers, raise awareness of the law change, and help prevent livestock worrying.
“I hear far too often from farmers about the impact these incidents have – from stress and disruption to the most serious cases where animals are badly injured or killed. That is simply unacceptable.
“With supporting rural communities a key priority in my Safer Communities Plan, I know the public will value this collaborative approach to keeping people, animals and livelihoods safe.”
Visit www.malvernhills.org.uk/stockwatch/ for information where sheep are grazing.
