SHEEP and adult cattle are being savaged by unsupervised dogs in rural Anglesey farmers say.

Ynys Môn Member of Parliament Albert Owen met with an island farming family to hear about the serious issues affecting farmers and their industry.

Mr Owen visited Ioan and Helen Roberts, of Tryfil Isaf, a farm at Llanerchymedd, who raise award winning Welsh Black cattle.

The 150 acre farm, which has been in the family since the 1870s, is home to a 120-strong herd.

The family also raised concerns over the beef sector and livestock farming.

Mr Owen said: “The problems facing farmers here on the Island from dog attacks is unacceptable. Sheep and even adult cattle have been savaged by unsupervised dogs. The 1953 Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act needs updating.

"Currently it is under the jurisdiction of Westminster; maybe its time for it to be devolved, we have a great opportunity to update it which to enable farmers and the rural police team to deal with this terrible problem more effectively.”

In north Wales, more than 50 dogs were shot for attacking livestock over a period of four years, a report revealed in February, 2018.

A study by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) showed North Wales Police had recorded 449 cases of livestock worrying and attacks between 2013-2017.

Rob Taylor of the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team, said:

“Unsupervised dogs attacking livestock is a huge problem, there are some 120 attacks a year, one every three days.”

“We have been working in a multi-agency approach, and alongside with Dyfed Powys police.

“I have done a lot of work to try and push through Parliament a 2019, an update on the The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

"There are lots of areas it doesn’t cover such as llamas and alpacas, which wasn’t a livestock issue in 1953.”

Mr Owen added: “The issues raised today by the farming community are serious and need addressing. Brexit still remains an unknown quantity in the farming industry and the uncertainty is a worry.

“Ioan and his wife Helen run a modern, efficient farm here on the Island and their Welsh Black cattle are a credit to them. We must also make sure this quality product is protected, given special status and properly marketed.”

A Farmers Union of Wales spokesperson said: “Urgent action needs to be taken to amend the 1953 Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act in order to give the police better tools to deal with the increasing number of dog attacks on farm animals.

“Not a week goes past where we don’t hear of another livestock worrying incident, whether that’s up here in North Wales or the rest of the country.

"We have not held back in pointing out the untold stress such incidents cause farmers, the stress that it puts on the business and the wider implications it has on our rural economy.

“Livestock worrying is a complex issue of course, and we are frustrated that livestock attacks by dogs show no sign of decreasing.

"Despite significant industry investment, many members of the public remain unaware that their family pet can attack, injure or kill livestock.

“Farmers must be able to protect their animals and safeguard their businesses and it is essential that positive legislative changes are made in order to reduce the number of incidents and improve both dog and livestock welfare in Wales.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We take this issue very seriously and are members of a UK wide group established to tackle the issue.

"The costs, emotionally and financially, for those whose livestock are affected are unacceptable and there are also welfare implications for the livestock attacked.

“The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 is non-devolved and we would welcome the strengthening of police powers to allow them to deal with this issue more effectively.

“However, tackling this issue cannot be achieved through legislation alone.

"The promotion of responsible animal ownership is a priority for us and we support the campaigns undertaken by the farming industry, the third sector and rural crime units within Wales which remind dog owners of their responsibilities.”