By Aaron le Couteur
This is the very real consequence of not being a responsible dog owner. I’d first like to say thank you, thank you to all the good owners out there, who understand their own animal, and respect others, but even if you think this is you, please read on….
To the culprits, I really don’t know what to say. You may think that this is just a sheep, but I’d say you’re wrong. Her name is Bercail Gallant, she was born on the 7th March last year at quarter to two in the afternoon and weighed just 2.9kg. You could hold her in the palm of one hand. I did, I was there. This is a living, breathing creature that gets scared like we do, that has instincts like we do, that feels pain like we do, and that deserves compassion and respect in equal measure to your pet. No animal ever deserves to go through this, and what makes it so difficult to swallow is that there is absolutely no need for it.
It would be easier to sleep at night to think this dog owner was an awful malicious person, with a menacing dog. The difficult reality is that all too often these attacks are caused by well-meaning people, who never for a second think their dog would have this in them, but they do. They all do. So, if the video (on Facebook) upsets you, please, please be responsible. Train your dog to have a solid recall, never let them out of your sight, and if you can’t control your dog, use a lead. But if something like this does happen, let the owner know, don’t ever leave the animal suffering. PLEASE.
This happened on Tuesday morning last week in the early hours, sometime before 0800, in the Beauport area. Five sheep in total had various wounds and injuries. Thanks to some outstanding veterinary work, Gallant has a shot of pulling through, it will be a long road, which she doesn’t deserve, but we will give her every chance.
Please don’t forget, these sheep are members of the Birds On The Edge team like us and like the choughs and deserve every bit as much respect as we all do.
You can see a video of Bercail Gallant on The Reserve (Jersey) Facebook page here but be warned this video is graphic and upsetting (and some of the comments are ‘colourful’!).
How awful and totally unacceptable, I hope the sheep recover from their injuries ASAP…….and I hope the irresponsible dog owner is found and taught how to behave.
Well chosen words Aaaron which should shame any irresponsible dog owner. Difficult to know how whoever the dog owner is manages to live peacefully with their thoughts.
Commiserations Aaron.
Sad sad times we live in.
Shared on naturestimeline StandUp4Nature and will spread the word further via my Social Media channels.
Best Wishes
Tony Powell and naturestimeline
I agree that this is awful but I blame whoever thought it would be a great idea to put their sheep in danger by not Putting some proper fencing up if you are serious about protecting your Sheep. There should also be enough room left for people to walk their dogs on an extendable lead without fear of either the dog the owner or both being electricuted. Why not put a proper fence that stops dogs getting in. As a dog owner I am disgusted at the way we are banned from the beaches and banned or restricted on the headland. This because some bright spark decides that we can have sheep there. Put the sheep on a farm somewhere not on Common Land that has been enjoyed by walkers for years.
Oh dear! I led a guided walk on Sunday morning on ‘common land’ but had to spend an hour beforehand dispensing with masses of dog mess. if you feel disgusted that dogs and their owners are ‘banned’ from beaches and restricted from headlands, might I suggest some serious dialogue with the island’s irresponsible dog owners – of which there are many. Do, please, look at the bigger picture here!
Very good point Mike S. I’d also add that the headland from which dog owners are restricted (by being asked to keep their dogs on a lead) is predominantly agricultural land.