Warning to dog owners after second incident at Sandwell Valley Country Park
Dog owners are being warned to keep their pets away from livestock after a second incident at Sandwell Valley Country Park in less than a week.
A dog was seen loose in a field of cows and calves on Friday afternoon, on grazing land at the country park in West Bromwich.
The animals were not injured in the incident, but were left distressed. The dog owner has been reported to West Midlands Police.
It follows a Shetland pony being attacked and badly injured by a dog in a paddock at nearby Sandwell Park Farm on Monday, April 27.
Rocky, the Shetland pony, is recovering well after he needed multiple stitches to his face after being savaged by the dog in his paddock.
Sandwell Council’s deputy leader, Councillor Maria Crompton, said: “This is heartbreaking for us, our animals and everyone who works at our farms.
“The cows and calves are now extremely anxious.
"To have this happen twice in a week at one of our farms is just unacceptable."
Councillor Crompton added: “Dog owners must take more care and not allow their pets anywhere near our livestock.
"All dogs must be kept on leads on farm land – it’s an offence to let a dog off-lead around livestock and the police have been informed.”
