DOG owners have been urged to clean up their pets’ poo following reports that several cows have fallen ill from contaminated grass.
Farmer Tom Gould claimed that he has lost half of cows and witnessed several miscarriages due to a mass infection at his site in Ringwood, Hampshire.
The cattle herder believes that calves has been infected with neosperosis – a disease caused by a parasite that has spread through dog faeces.
And now he has urged pet owners to dispose of dog waste after revealing the damage that the illness has caused to his herd and his business.
He told ITV Meridian: “We are probably not going to be able to enter any heifers as replacements or increase the size of the herd as we were planning to do.
“The infected cows, their heifers, are all going to have to be blood tested to see if they are infected as well.
“It’s going to be quite a large blow and it’s going to take a few years to overcome this.”
He urged dog walkers: “Please, can you pick up your dog mess. Just that little bit well help us – and help all the commoners (local farmers), not just me – immensely.”
Dr Alex Cook, a New Forest vet, also called for dog walkers to be more responsible due to the potential impact on cattle and farmers.
He told ITV: “The dogs shed their disease in their faeces. The cow comes along, even up to six months later and grazes around that area.
“It actually ingests the disease and then that disease can cause abortions and the cows lose their calves.
“More awareness by the dog walking public is essential to prevent this disease becoming widespread throughout the Forest, and I hope we can prevent other commoners being hit so hard as Mr Gould has been this year.”
The fresh warning comes just days after reports emerged that two sheep were mauled to death and another two were driven off a cliff at a farm in Derbyshire.
It promoted a swift response from the RSCPA who urged the public to keep their dog on leads in fields with livestock – as farmers are allowed to shoots dogs who they think are disturbing their animals.
Animal rescue officer Andy Sowden said: “Whilst the vast majority of people take care as a matter of course.
“Sadly accidents can happen and even the most docile and obedient dogs can get distracted and excited by grazing animals.
“Dog owners should remember it is lawful for farmers to shoot a dog to protect livestock which would be distressing for everyone involved.
“Owners can face a police prosecution if their dog is caught worrying livestock.”
