A ban on herding dogs

A supermarket chain in Great Britain (Tesco) has told New Zealand sheep farmers to stop using dogs to herd sheep into the abattoir (slaughterhouse) unless they can be retrained to be "more considerate" towards the flock. The order was in response to a letter sent to the Daily Telegraph from an upset reader.

Instead the supermarket chain wants shepherds to wave their arms, beat sticks, or wave flags, to move the sheep into the abattoir. Shepherds have reacted with outrage and claim up to 60 dogs have now joined the ranks of the unemployed.

The UK's National Farmers' Union said that it was not aware of any research indicating that farm animals suffered stress because of sheepdogs. Leading animal welfare charity the RSPCA said it had concerns about the anxiety suffered by sheep as they are circled and pursued by dogs, but did not believe a ban was necessary.

Read full article in Daily Telegraph

Thanks to Derrick Bender for suggesting this topic.