Any one tell me what the law is regarding roaming sheep and the damage they do to private property?

Question

my driveway entrance is 11m wide and I don't want to put gates up and spoil the 'open look' of the house. I have tried light removable barriers but to no avail! My garden is being destroyed. What are my options should I 'keep' them and inform the police.
I live in rural Wales wher roaming sheep are the norm. Is it my resposibility to keep them out? Are farmers breaking the law letting thier sheep roam? I would be grateful for any information. Thank you. jinjabilda

most answers suggest cattle grids. whilst they would be expensive I could put it in myself but it may not be the answer.
My next door neighbour who is a local park ranger, (the borders of beacons nat park) has seen local sheep, just recently, lie down alongside the grid and roll over the pipes or steel beams, True! So I don't want to spend say £1,000 for nothing.

most answers suggest cattle grids. whilst they would be expensive I could put it in myself but it may not be the answer.
My next door neighbour who is a local park ranger, (the borders of beacons nat park) has seen local sheep, just recently, lie down alongside the grid and roll over the pipes or steel beams, True! So I don't want to spend say £1,000 for nothing.

Answer 1

Jesus. You live in a farming community. You must have been aware of that when you bought the property. Sheep and livestock are part of farming life. Put up a fence or move back to an urban environment. Quit complaining.

Answer 2

A sheepdog seems the best idea, well trained it should sit in a kennel by the entrance to the driveway and scare off any sheep who are brave enough to come into your drive.

You could also try lining your driveway with plants that make sheep ill - I believe Rhododendrons don't do them any good!

I would suggest that any cattle grid that allowed sheep to roll over it [I would love to see it] is just not wide enough.
I do not think you could get a grid that spanned an opening of 11 metres so it would be necessary to narrow the opening somewhat.

We have large agricultural style double metal gates, which swing right back out of the way to allow cars and things in.
They can be left open if the sheep are not around although in practice we keep them closed as sheep have a nasty habit of creeping back when you least expect them, and in any case leaving them open lets the rabbits in!

A word about cattle grids, if you should go for that option, you need to have a pedestrian by-pass gate, and make sure your personal liability insurance covers you for any broken ankles or legs your visitors or other callers may suffer.

Finally, you can hope that with the change in farm subsidies, the sheep will all disappear as if by magic in favour of tree planting or other eco-friendly activities and environmental schemes.

You have my sympathy

Answer 3

We encountered a similar problem several years ago in rural Scotland where livestock were eating our newly planted saplings and getting into outbuildings.

Fortunately the problem was resolved by discussing the situation with the owner who moved the animals into an enclosed area but we did do a little bit of research...

As far as I understand it there is little, if anything, in law that requires animals such as sheep to be securely penned in and the only form of redress you have is to bring about a civil action for any loss suffered.

Don't keep the sheep as that's theft and you could be prosecuted under the Theft Act.

Sheep aren't generally considered as being a danger so there's little the owner has to do to keep them under control - if they were wandering lose on a motorway action could be taken but wandering along the lanes of rural Wales and entering your garden wouldn't be considered a hazard.

I'd have though your first course of action would be to discuss things with the owner of the sheep, this is how we resolved our problem and the outcome was quick and effective and there was no animosity. If the owner is unable or unwilling to co-operate then the onus may fall to you to take steps to keep the sheep out and the only practical solution that comes to mind is, as previously mentioned, the installation of a cattle grid. Across an 11m opening this is going to be a costly solution and unless you install the grid yourself I would guess you're looking at several thousand pounds.

Before taking any action you may want to contact the Environmental Department at your local council - they'll be better qualified to advise what you can and can't do.

Good luck and I hope you manage to get things resolved amicably.

Answer 4

Have you examined the Local ByeLaws regarding this subject. Many local ByeLaws are ancient, going back hundreds of years, but are still valid. For example, in Blaenau Ffestiniog in North Wales, local ByeLaws provide sheep with the right to roam - anywhere within the town and its environs. In fact sheep there have a right of way. In circumstances such as that, the owners of property have an obligation to keep the sheep out.
In other parts of the country, the onus is on the owners of the sheep to prevent them from causing damage to other people's property.
What can you do? In the short term, without affecting your rights of enjoyment of your property and it's open aspect, you could get a dog. This dog should then be kept outside, with a kennel provided - much as is done on farms. The dog should be tethered with enough chain to allow it to police the majority of your open frontage. The kennel will provide the dog with all-weather protection. Sheep will not approach your frontage whilst there is a dog on 'patrol'!
Another possible solution is using Renardine - an animal deterrent that animals find foul-smelling. Rag balls fixed on sticks and soaked in Renardine placed at intervals across your entrance will deter sheep from approaching. Also deters cats, dogs, squirrels and other animals. The down side of this is that the Renardine needs replenishment from time to time especially after heavy rain.
The problem with garden damage is that to make any claim against the owner of sheep, you have to prove the damage and prove the ownership of the sheep. Many farmers will deny that it their sheep causing the damage (sometimes despite identification of the daubed markers on the sheep). However, if sheep are killed, then the farmers will immediately claim ownership! Getting PROOF if the greatest hurdle - your word will not be enough. Colour photographs of the sheep actually committing the damage, showing its daubed markers, would stand up in court if the photograph is timed/dated ( a feature of digital cameras).

Answer 5

The sheep are probably allowed to roam free in your area. Thought about an anti-sheep dog, that should do the trick very effectively, and a bit cheaper than a cattle grid?

Answer 6

The farmers are at fault. However, if you get a cattle grill installed your house will remain open looking and the sheep won't be able to get up your driveway.

(A cattle grill, just in case, would be installed at the entrance of your driveway. Its a grill people can walk over but animals won't from fear of falling through the gaps)

Answer 7

Roaming sheep may be the norm but I would say that it is against the law for farmers to fail to prevent their sheep from damaging private property. Take it up with the farmers.

Answer 8

Do you like the taste of lamb? If you are not Welsh, don't cause a problem, MG will burn you out and the farmers will hate you. "Aclan jaka size," (get out English) they'll yell. Buy a cattle grid or make one, a few strong metal poles concreted over a shallow hole with water drains, you keep the open aspect and you don't upset the farmers.

Answer 9

I believe that hill farmers are allowed to let their sheep roam. But you should contact your local council to make sure. Personally I'd just stump up for a grill as suggested above. Just watch out if you wear high heels.

Answer 10

if it is the same as adultery in the US your wife will get elected to office
seriously you could dig a trench and place iron pipes across it thus the sheep could not cross but you could leave about a 11/2 " space between the 3" pipe