this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2023
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American XL bulldogs kill 22 sheep (www.walesonline.co.uk)
submitted 2 years ago by byroon@lemmy.world to c/unitedkingdom@feddit.uk
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Two escaped dogs savaged a flock of pregnant sheep, killing 22 and injuring another 48, before the out-of-control American XL bulldogs were shot. A farmer turned his gun on the pair of escaped animals that subjected his livestock to a brutal attack on a Welsh farm.

The financial cost of the incident, including the numerous deaths and injuries, amounted to more than £14,000.

The owner of the two dogs – David Hughes, 26, of Pen y Wern, Rhosllanerchrugog – appeared at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court where he admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and being the owner of a dog worrying livestock. Hughes was banned from keeping dogs for five years and ordered to pay £900 in fines.

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[–] breadsmasher@lemmy.world 45 points 2 years ago (3 children)

“Why is my dog bred to fight and kill, fighting and killing?”

[–] thehatfox@lemmy.world 18 points 2 years ago

"It's a problem with the owner and not the dog."

We really need to update or replace the Dangerous Dogs Act, both expanding the banned breeds and giving larger penalties having them.

[–] jonne@infosec.pub 35 points 2 years ago (2 children)

A £900 fine? He didn't even have to compensate the farmer?

[–] huginn@feddit.it 14 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Fines are different than restitution

[–] norbert@kbin.social 8 points 2 years ago (1 children)

(22 + 48) * 250 = £17500 ($22,091) is roughly the cost of the sheep, that's not calculating time/food cost put into the flock already, some were pregnant. Likely a total loss for the farmer, dog owner is a scumbag, ban bully breeds IMO.

[–] huginn@feddit.it 1 points 2 years ago

The article states £14000

Generally those kind of valuations are calculated on cost of 1:1 replacement.

[–] breadsmasher@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I wonder if thats more of an insurance thing? Like the farmer would claim and the insurance company goes after the dog owner for the money

[–] StudioLE@programming.dev 3 points 2 years ago

And then farmer gets stiffed with increased insurance premiums. I really hope that's not how it works.

Hopefully the farmer can directly sue the owner for actual and emotional damages with Farm insurance covering the legal costs.

[–] Oneeightnine@feddit.uk 19 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I know it's not really related to this news, but there's a family at school who bring their XL down to the school gates at pickup and dropoff and every single time I see it I worry what it could do to the kids if it ever decided to go off. The dog owner wouldn't stand a chance, it's built like a [sturdy outdoor toilet made of bricks] and would probably just drag her along.

[–] NuPNuA@lemm.ee 5 points 2 years ago

I can't imagine how much force these dogs can exert on the lead when they want to bolt, even my mates Shitzu can get some going when he wants to pull and these are ten times the size.

[–] FatLegTed@feddit.uk 3 points 2 years ago

Unless he gets compensation (this year, not £10 a week), this farmer could well go out of business. There need to be serious change in the licensing and enforcing.

Imagine those two dogs in a school playground.

Hughes needs to be banned from ever having a dog, 10 years jail and every thing he owns (and future wages/benefits garnished if necessary) sold to compensate for the loss of this farmer's livelihood.