Road action plea renewed

ROAD safety campaigners have renewed a plea for improvements to a busy stretch of highway. Locals have been asking for restrictions to the junction of the A283 and Canons Way, Steyning. Another accident took place last week and while no one was hurt, locals claim it is only a matter of time before there is a serious incident in the area. Karin Lane, of Bowmans Close, Steyning, said: Its a busy road, and the traffic goes too fast. Calls for action were first made last summer but West Sussex County Council has yet to instal signs in the road. At a Steyning Parish Council meeting, local and county councillors backed the residents renewed campaign. But a spokesman for West Sussex County Council said the issue was not a priority, adding that the next junction, Horsham Road and the A283, had a serious accident record.

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Farmers pledge after series of attacks on sheep

News

The Argus, Monday, May 21, 2012

19

We will shoot pet dogs

TA15512A1

PICTURE: TERRY APPLIN

Floral show for festival

A FESTIVAL of flowers will be one of a villages celebrations for the Queens Diamond Jubilee. All Saints and St Richards Primary School in School Hill, Old Heathfield, near Heathfield, will deliver about 85 floral displays to the village church on May 29. Concerts and talks are also planned in the church during the week-long event. For details email vickicolne@aol.com or call 01435 862695.

GOOD SCORE: Pupils at West Blatchington Primary School in Hove celebrated scoring a new football kit courtesy of the Premier League. So far more than 700 teams have been selected by the Premier League Charitable Fund to receive kits, which include a full set of strips and training gear.

Tim Armour, of Stud Farm, Telscombe, said he was prepared to kill an out-of-control dog to make an example of it. He said: Its a damn site more cruel for a dog to attack a sheep. Earlier this month Mr Armours daughter, Camilla, discovered the remains of a sheep with its head severed in a suspected dog attack. He said: Sheep worrying is happening three times a week now and it needs to be stopped. We are going to have to shoot the dogs, which is not what we want. Coombes Farm in Lancing reported three separate incidents in a week which left four rams dead and one severely injured. Mark Lee, of Manor Farm near Saddlescombe, agreed that shooting a dog could be justified. He said: I would only shoot if a sheep was severely damaged. But farmers dont walk around with a shotgun for 24 hours a day. The best way to stop the worrying is by charging dog owners as much money as possible.

FARMERS are warning they will shoot pet dogs that worry their livestock following a spate of attacks on flocks.

by KATE PALMER

kate.palmer@theargus.co.uk
Mr Lee said he would be hesitant to shoot a dog unless he could prove it was a threat to his livestock: Any farmer shooting a dog should make sure they kill it and that theyve got evidence of severe damage to the animal being attacked. Mr Armour said: The RSPCA is quick to prosecute farmers if they fall foul of the law so I would make sure to get a photo of the incident as proof. Cheryl Wood, from the RSPCA, agreed that shooting a dog was understandable in extreme cases: It is tragic if any animal is shot, but it is irresponsible for any dog owner to allow their dog off a lead where there are livestock. Jenny Smith from Chasing Tails, a Brighton-based dog walkers group, said shooting a dog was harsh but justifiable if it poses a danger. Farmers can legally shoot a dog on their land which is worrying or about to worry livestock under the Animals Act 1971. What do you think? Write to the letters editor or email letters@theargus.co.uk.