A North Wales farmer has welcomed the use of DNA testing to help police investigate dog attacks on livestock, as new powers allowing unlimited fines and DNA sampling from dogs suspected of attacking animals came into force in March.
Daniel Jones, who farms on the Great Orme near Llandudno, described attacks by dogs on his sheep as a persistent problem that was heartbreaking for farmers.
Under the new law, officers can also keep dogs for an indefinite period. The hope is that the changes will help identify the dogs responsible and bring more of their owners before the courts.
Rob Taylor, Wales Rural Crime and Wildlife Coordinator, said the new powers are particularly useful in cases where owners deny their dog was responsible. In most cases, he said, owners cooperate, apologise and pay compensation to the farmer. But the ability to take a DNA sample is very useful in cases where an owner claims their dog was not to blame.
PC Ian Nicholls of North Wales Police's rural crime team said attacks of this kind are a significant part of the team's work and happen constantly. He said DNA tests help identify dogs and also send a message that police have new ways of investigating these crimes.
NFU Mutual, an insurance company, estimates that more than £350,000 worth of farm animals were killed or seriously injured by dogs in Wales last year. Police also estimate that about 300 attacks occurred over the same period.
Farmers across Wales have also received sampling kits as part of a new research project. Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University will analyse the samples to find the best way to collect DNA evidence after an attack.
Jones said the DNA testing was a positive step in the right direction, but stressed that preventing the attacks from happening in the first place remains the priority.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Dog attacks on livestock cause significant financial and emotional harm to farmers and are a persistent problem in rural Wales.
- New DNA testing powers could increase the rate of successful prosecutions and deter owners from letting dogs attack animals.
- A linked research project may improve how evidence is collected, making investigations more effective.
Background
Dog attacks on livestock have long been a concern for farmers in Wales, with costs rising in recent years. The change in law this March gave police new powers to take DNA samples from dogs suspected of attacking animals, impose unlimited fines, and keep dogs for an indefinite period. Police estimated about 300 attacks occurred in Wales last year, and insurer NFU Mutual put losses at over £350,000.
Key Perspectives
Daniel Jones, farmer: Says attacks are a massive, ongoing problem that are heartbreaking for farmers, and while DNA testing is positive, the priority is preventing attacks before they happen by getting people to respect the countryside.
Rob Taylor, Wales Rural Crime and Wildlife Coordinator: Says the new powers are very useful in cases where an owner denies responsibility, though most owners cooperate, apologise and pay compensation.
PC Ian Nicholls, North Wales Police: Says attacks happen constantly and DNA tests help identify dogs while also sending a message that police have new ways to investigate these crimes.
What to Watch
- How many successful prosecutions result from DNA evidence in the coming months.
- Results of the Liverpool John Moores University research project, which is testing the best ways to collect DNA evidence after attacks.
- Whether the new powers and publicity reduce the number of attacks in Wales.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA North Wales farmer welcomed DNA testing to help police investigate dog attacks on livestock.BBC Wales: “Mae ffermwr o ogledd Cymru wedi croesawu'r defnydd o brofion DNA i helpu'r heddlu ymchwilio i ymosodiadau gan gŵn ar stoc.”
- SupportedThe new powers allow police to take DNA samples from dogs suspected of attacking animals.BBC Wales: “Ym mis Mawrth daeth newidiadau i'r gyfraith sy'n golygu bod hawl gan yr heddlu i gymryd samplau DNA gan gŵn sydd o dan amheuaeth o ymosod ar anifeiliaid.”
- SupportedThe new powers allow unlimited fines for owners of dogs that attack animals.BBC Wales: “O dan y ddeddf newydd, gall swyddogion roi dirwyon di-derfyn i berchnogion cŵn sy'n ymosod ar anifeiliaid”
- SupportedThe changes to the law came into force in March.BBC Wales: “Ym mis Mawrth daeth newidiadau i'r gyfraith”
- SupportedDaniel Jones said dog attacks were a persistent problem and heartbreaking for farmers.BBC Wales: “Yn ôl Daniel Jones, sy'n ffermio ar y Gogarth ger Llandudno, mae ymosodiadau gan gŵn yn broblem barhaus ac yn "torri calon" ffermwyr.”
- SupportedOfficers can keep dogs for an indefinite period under the new law.BBC Wales: “O dan y ddeddf newydd, gall swyddogion roi dirwyon di-derfyn i berchnogion cŵn sy'n ymosod ar anifeiliaid, cynnal profion DNA, a chadw cŵn am gyfnod amhenodol.”
- SupportedThe hope is that the changes will help identify responsible dogs and bring more of their owners before the courts.BBC Wales: “Y gobaith yw y bydd yn helpu i adnabod y cŵn sy'n gyfrifol, a dwyn mwy o berchnogion y cŵn hynny gerbron y llysoedd.”
- SupportedRob Taylor said the new powers are particularly useful when owners deny their dog was responsible.BBC Wales: “Dywedodd Rob Taylor, Cydlynydd Bywyd Gwyllt a Throseddau Gwledig Cymru, bod y pwerau newydd yn arbennig o ddefnyddiol mewn achosion lle mae perchnogion yn gwadu mai eu ci nhw oedd yn gyfrifol.”
- SupportedTaylor said that in most cases owners cooperate, apologise and pay compensation to the farmer.BBC Wales: “"Yn y rhan fwyaf o achosion mae perchnogion yn cydweithio, yn ymddiheuro ac yn talu iawndal i'r ffermwr," meddai.”
- SupportedPC Ian Nicholls said these attacks are a significant part of his team's work and happen constantly.BBC Wales: “Dywedodd PC Ian Nicholls o dîm troseddau gwledig Heddlu Gogledd Cymru, bod ymosodiadau o'r fath yn rhan sylweddol o waith y tîm. "Maen nhw'n digwydd yn gyson," meddai.”
- SupportedNFU Mutual estimated that more than £350,000 worth of farm animals were killed or seriously injured by dogs in Wales last year.BBC Wales: “Mae cwmni yswiriant NFU Mutual yn amcangyfrif bod gwerth dros £350,000 o anifeiliaid fferm wedi'u lladd neu eu hanafu'n ddifrifol gan gŵn yng Nghymru y llynedd.”
- SupportedPolice estimated that about 300 attacks took place over the same period.BBC Wales: “Mae'r heddlu hefyd yn amcangyfrif bod tua 300 o ymosodiadau wedi digwydd dros yr un cyfnod.”
