Dog owners warned after cow is bitten (From Western Telegraph)

Dog owners warned after cow is bitten

An Angle farmer has urged footpath walkers to be more careful after a dog attacked one of her cows.

Irene Jones, who farms at Hardings Hill feared the worst when she first saw the bite on one of her British Friesians last Wednesday night.

When she came back we thought it was a put down job. It looked awful, her mouth was hanging off and you could see the bite marks, she said. Mrs Jones had to feed six-year-old cow for two days last week as she was in too much pain to graze. The wound has since began to scab and heal, but since rights of way legislation opened up a footpath next to the farm border around two years ago, Mrs Jones has encountered problems caused by irresponsible walkers. She has seen cows get their feet caught in disguarded barbecue grills and others returning with cut feet after walking over broken beer bottles.

A few weeks ago, she was called out when dogs were chasing cows near a cliff edge on the other side of her farm.

She says 99% of walkers act responsibly but a small minority do cause problems.

I have no problem with the majority of walkers and the National Park has been very considerate. I just hope if people see the effect that dogs can have they will be more careful. They should be kept on a lead, or if they are that dangerous, not be brought at all.

The National Park ranger for the area visited the farm last week, and the authority has since agreed to put up stronger signs urging dog owners to keep their pets on leads.

A spokesman said: We continue to stress that dog owners must take responsibility for their animals and keep them on leads at all times, especially when they are near farmland and animals. Due to the foot and mouth situation, more signs urging dog owners to follow this simple advice have been displayed than ever before yet dogs are still being left to run loose on farmland.

There have been calls for tighter controls of dogs on farmland footpaths after an attack left a six-year-old-friesian unable to feed for two days. PICTURE: Western Telegraph.