The number of dog attacks on livestock in North Yorkshire has increased significantly since COVID.
North Yorkshire Police says it is tackling the issue through operation Recall which aims to increase the awareness of dog owners to prevent dog attacks on farm animals.
Sergeant Mark Earnshaw is from the Rural Task Force
Operation Recall is a national program launched in 2023 to address the increasing number of dog attacks on farm animals. This initiative, a collaboration between animal welfare groups like Naturewatch Foundation and the RSPCA, the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU), and police forces, aims to educate dog owners and reduce livestock attacks across the country.
The program was established in response to a surge in dog attacks on livestock following the Covid lockdown. One contributing factor is the significant increase in dog ownership during that period. Operation Recall seeks to:
- Increase awareness among dog owners and walkers about the importance of preventing attacks on farm animals.
- Utilize Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) legislation to issue community protection warnings and notices.
- Reduce the overall number of livestock attacks.
The emphasis on education aims to remind dog owners that seemingly innocuous signs advising them to keep their dogs on a lead in the countryside are there for a reason.
Deputy Mayor for Policing - Jo Coles - says it's as much about protecting dog owners as it is farmers livestock.
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