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swindonlink.com • May 2012 41
Farmers and livestock endangered by dog attacks Janet’s

Mouldon Hill Country Park in North Swindon is proving to be an extremely popular destination for Puppy
dog-walking, cycling and horse-riding, and is set to become even busier once the Blunsdon to Cricklade
Railway is extended into the park this Autumn. However its popularity and proximity to farmland used Skool
by livestock is resulting in conflicts and threats to farm animals and horses, writes Juliet Platt. Have fun teaching your dog
Dog owners and walkers in the clearly marked on Ordnance Survey pushing prams and cycling as by good manners and behaviour
area are being strongly urged to maps. But people need to be made horse-riders. at one of our friendly classes
keep their dogs under close control more aware of their responsibilities In a letter to The Link horse-rider 3 Playskool for puppies
after sheep and cows on Pry Hold- when walking their dogs in the open Michelle Phillips who regularly 3 Adult beginners/improvers
ings farm, just over the boundary countryside.” exercises her horse in the Mouldon 3 Senior Skool/advanced classes
with Mouldon Hill, have been at- Whilst the farm is within the Hill area said: “I spent most of 2010 3 One to one advice & training
tacked and killed. jurisdiction of Wiltshire Council, it and 2011 being chased by out of 3 Fun agility workshops
Farm owners Tim and Christine borders onto the Swindon Borough control dogs which caused my horse www.janetspuppyskool.co.uk
Handy lost a newly lambed ewe to Council owned park. Despite hav- to bolt. My biggest fear is that one APDT Member (01066)
dog attack on 13 March, only to have ing spoken to Swindon Council and day my horse will spin and bolt Janet Garrett DipCAPBT Dip.dog.psy
seven cows attacked by three bull the Woodland Trust, and had their straight into an oncoming push Tel: 01793 727158
terriers 11 days later. The husky that assistance in putting up fences and chair or child on a scooter or bike.” [email protected]
killed the sheep has since been de- signs to warn people off the farm-
stroyed, while the bull terrier attack land, Tim has found many of these
is still under police investigation. barriers and notices vandalised
within days of being erected. Shangri-La
Tim said: “I understand
that more and more leisure Cattery Professional, established
space is needed, but if people dog groomer offering the
want to be surrounded by ‘Purr’fect holiday for your cat full works for your dogs
farmland rather than having
more houses built they need Recommended by vets Friendly quiet salon
with personal
to be prepared to respect the attention at all times
livestock.” For details contact Easy free parking
Reflecting on the popular- Ann Loxton West side of
ity of the park and the plans 01793 770514 Swindon,
to extend the Blunsdon to 07785 236243 off Westcott Place
Cricklade Railway into the Phone Denise on
park this summer, Christine Common Platt 07866 507633
said: “The problem has Swindon SN5 5JZ or 01793 327379
worsened since the car park Collection service available
opened at Mouldon Hill last [email protected] www.hairofthedoggroomers.co.uk
year. I don’t know how dog
owners are going to manage
when there’s a train running
Tim Handy at Pry Farm into the park as well.”
Photo: Richard Wintle www.calyxpix.com According to the Dogs
“My family has farmed here since (Protection of Livestock) Act of 1953
1963 and in the last three years a dog owner is liable if his pet is
we’ve had more dog attacks than found to be worrying livestock. Ad-
ever before,” said Tim. ditionally the Animals Act of 1971
“I don’t think people who go to provides a defence for livestock
Mouldon Hill realise that the park owners to destroy a dog which is
butts up against farmland. They let found to be worrying livestock on Belly
their dogs off the lead and before their land, providing they report
they realise it the animals are in the the incident to the police within
field amongst the cows or sheep. 48 hours. Busters
“I don’t mind people walking A further problem is the over-
in the area. There are a number of crowding of the bridleways run-
public rights of way across our land, ning around the park, which have The practical approach to
which are very well maintained by been tarmaced and are now used
Purton Parish Council, and are all as much by families walking dogs, your pet’s long and healthy life
Free one to one appointments with our
Rotary hold joint bank holiday excellent team of qualified nurses to look at
fundraiser with RSPCA your pet’s diet and lifestyle in a new light
North Wiltshire RSPCA and Old Town Rotary Club are getting together Visit our website or call for details
this year for what they hope will be the first of many collaborations.
The RSPCA annual dog show and the Rotary duck race are being held
on the same day, Bank Holiday Monday 4 June, at the Wescott Recreation Tel: 01793 526780
Ground, opposite The Running Horse on Wootton Bassett Road, Swindon.
Dog registrations start at 10am with the first class starting at 11am.
Classes include the dog with the waggiest tail, the dog that looks most 62-64 Purton Road Open:
like its owner, and the best rescue dog. Monday to Friday
The duck race will start between 3.30pm and 4pm. Ducks will be sold Swindon SN2 2LZ 9am-6.30pm
in aid of Hop Skip & Jump, with 50 per cent to other Rotary charities. (end of Akers Way) Saturday
There will also be activities for children, cake stalls, tombola stalls, 9am-12noon
face painting, hot and cold refreshments.
• Ducks can be purchased from Asda West Swindon, Co-op Old Town, www.thameswoodvets.co.uk
Sainsbury’s Bridgemead, The Running Horse Pub and other venues.

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