A MAN is being put behind bars after admitting to livestock worrying offences which left a farmer with no choice other than to put 11 of his sheep down.

Warwick Foreman, 52, of Compton Road, Colchester appeared before Ipswich Magistrates' Court, on Friday, where he was sentenced to 21 weeks in prison.

It follows four incidents last year in Brantham.

Two sheep were found by their owner in Brantham on August 9 and were so severely injured they both had to be put down.

On August 22 the same victim found two badly injured ewes with one needing to be put down.

 

Convicted - Warwick Foreman is being jailed

Convicted - Warwick Foreman is being jailed

 

At some point between August 30 and August 31 two other sheep were attacked, and they too had to be put down.

Finally, a further incident on September 11 saw two badly injured ewes found, with one animal needing to be put down.

Additionally, a further four sheep had to be put down after the were found severely injured on December 3 in the Lawford area.

At an earlier hearing in March this year, Foreman pleaded guilty to four counts each of being in charge of a dog and worrying livestock and four counts of criminal damage.

As part of the investigation, police managed to secure DNA saliva swabs from both dogs.

It found a match to the ear of one of the sheep fatally injured linking it to one of the dogs.

The sentence also includes an offence where he was also convicted of taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent in Bentley, Suffolk.

PC Andre de Jongh from the Rural and Wildlife Policing Team said: "The emotional impact on farmers should never be underestimated. "These are hardworking folk that takes great care of their livestock.

"Seeing a flock of sheep through the lambing season is an extremely involved process.

"The financial implications for farmers stretch far beyond the price of a dead ewe.

"It involves the loss of future earnings, the replacement of expensive breeding stock, veterinary costs, disposal costs right down to the impact it may have on their insurance.

"Dog ownership comes with great responsibility and if owners do not have tangible control over their dogs, there are significant consequences."

"People need to remember, it's not just about keeping a dog on a lead - it is also about recognising that a dog's actions reflect on the owner and a lack of control is neglect, and the consequences of neglect is a ban on keeping dogs/animals in future, as well as being held on a police record."

Senior Crown Prosecutor Ashley Petchey said: "Crime of this nature has devastating effects on both farmers and their animals. Where there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to do so, we will seek to prosecute those whose dogs worry, harm or kill livestock."