From C Beckford.
IT was with great sadness that I read about the recent dog attack on the flock of sheep at Sorel, resulting in two lambs having to be destroyed because of their injuries.
I walk that area regularly with my dogs and it has always, to my mind, been a case of when it will happen, and not if.
I have seen these sheep being chased by large dogs, causing them to panic and stampede right into the oncoming path of two unprepared walkers.
I feel that although this is a very beneficial project in theory, the practical application has lacked some foresight. There seems to be a lack of notices advising of the presence of the sheep, until one approaches the gate to the area in which they roam.
In some circumstances there is a fair walk along the cliffpath before reaching a gate displaying a notice. There are various points of access to the headlands along that area, and not all have notification that the sheep are loose beyond a certain point.
A wider distribution of notification should be effected – to forewarn is to forearm. People will then have the choice to proceed on their walk rather than take a chance as they have come so far anyway and can’t see the sheep until they come round the corner right into them.
This is for the benefit of all concerned. How long before someone is floored by the flock? And where does the National Trust stand legally on any injury caused by an impromptu stamping by sheep?
Not all dog owners are irresponsible and, if warned, many will avoid areas of livestock. It does not help that gates are left open by those who have no concern if they let a dog among the sheep or let the sheep stray onto farmed land.
Perhaps a request to keep dogs on a lead along that stretch of headland would help.
The Flat,
56 Clos Saut Falluet,
Route de Quennevais,
St Brelade.
