Professional dog walker fined and ordered to pay compensation after admitting livestock worrying charges

A 58-year-old man from Basingstoke has been fined and ordered to pay compensation after admitting to a charge in relation to livestock worrying in Ramsdell, Tadley.

The incident occurred between 1.45pm and 2.30pm on Monday 25 January at Ewhurst Park in Ramsdell.

Basingstoke Magistrates Court heard how a professional dog walker had lost control of one of the dogs that was under his care; which ran over three quarters of a mile to a sheep flock. The dog chased and bit several young lambs; resulting in six deaths.

In a separate incident in late December 2020, the same dog handler had lost control of a dog at Winslade in Basingstoke. The dog chased a number of sheep and injured them, requiring veterinary treatment.

He was summoned to Basingstoke Magistrates Court and was charged with being in charge of a dog worrying livestock. After pleading guilty to the offences in court on Thursday 6 May, he was fined £176, ordered to pay £950 compensation to the victim and pay a £35 victim surcharge alongside £85 in court costs.

In addition, he was required to sign a Dog Behaviour Agreement - requiring him to keep their dog on a lead at all times when in a public place.

These incidents can have a huge impact on the rural farming community and Hampshire Constabulary will always take these reports very seriously and seek to investigate.

If you see anything suspicious or have been a victim of crime, please report it via Hampshire Constabulary’s online reporting tool on their website or by calling 101.