Peak District farm lost dozens of sheep in dog attacks due to picturesque location

The pure Vallais Blacknose shearling, which had been hand-reared by the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, was found close to death covered in dog bite marks at the couple’s farm near Bakewell in September 2024, NFU Mutual confirmed. 

There was no sign of the dog responsible for the attack, and a police investigation failed to trace an owner. 

Steph Wells, who runs the 450-acre farm with her husband, Steven, said: “My daughter was devastated – she had hand-reared the ewe, and it was so friendly it would come up to people for attention. 

Mrs Wells also explained that the farm’s location high in the Peak District near a popular tourist spot has made it a key destination for dog walkers. 

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‘I wish people would understand’

“Unfortunately, we have four footpaths going through the farmyard and then across our land. 

“Since Covid-19 the paths are teeming with walkers practically every day – and many of them let their dogs roam off-lead,” Mrs Wells added. 

She said that bank holidays are the worst time for them, as many people visit the area, leaving gates open and allowing their dogs to run wild. 

“Over the years we have lost dozens of sheep in dog attacks. Some have been mauled and left with horrific injuries. Others have been chased until they were completely exhausted. 

“We’ve had ewes aborting their lambs after being chased. We’ve had lambs abandoned by their mothers after being chased. The lambs quickly lose heat and get attacked by crows, which pick their eyes out when they’re not being protected by their mothers. 

“Last year we even lost a calf that was chased by dogs, causing it to fall and break its leg. It had to be put down,” the Peak District farmer continued. 

Steven and his wife Steph are the second generation of his family to run the 450-acre farm. The couple’s son plans to be the third generation. 

They run 850 ewes, rear 150 ewe lambs a year to join the flock and have a 75-head suckler herd. 

Mrs Wells concluded: “I wish people would understand what it does to you when you find one of your animals that you have looked after 24 hours a day since it was born, dead or dying in agony simply because a dog had been allowed off-lead and followed its instinct to attack.” 

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