Farmer reported to RSPCA for moving own sheep between fields

A Devon farmer has spoken of his disbelief after receiving a letter from the RSPCA accusing him of "sheep worrying" while he was simply herding his own flock.

Tom Trueman, a beef and sheep farmer from near Buckfastleigh, said he was left baffled when the animal welfare charity contacted him following an incident involving his sheep and working dog.

The 42-year-old had been moving sheep between fields on a Sunday in May when several animals escaped onto a nearby road.

Mr Trueman deployed his collie to round up the sheep and guide them safely back into the field.

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However, around two weeks later, a letter arrived from the RSPCA.

"I sent the dog out to round them up and bring them back home. Then, about two weeks later, I get a letter from the RSPCA," he said.

"A dog rounding up sheep might look like it's sheep worrying - if it's not a collie dog with a farmer next to it."

After contacting the charity to explain what had happened, Mr Trueman said he was reassured there was "no need to worry".

The farmer believes the complaint was made by someone unfamiliar with farming and the role of sheepdogs.

"We think it was genuinely someone who was, unfortunately, rather ignorant and didn't realise that a black and white collie rounds up sheep," he said.

Mr Trueman said the incident highlighted what he sees as a growing disconnect between rural communities and urban Britain.

"The trouble is, there's a definite gap between rural and urban nowadays," he said.

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"People don't seem to understand what a farmer actually does."

The farmer urged members of the public to think carefully before reporting suspected cases of sheep worrying.

"In this instance, I was with the dog. If the dog's on its own in a field of sheep, rounding them up, there's no one nearby, then that would be sheep worrying," he said.

"In this instance, when someone like me who looks like a farmer is there with a dog, you'd think it would be obvious."

The RSPCA said it was unable to comment on individual complaints or any action taken in specific cases.

A spokesman said: "We would like to reassure people we will always look into and, if necessary, investigate any complaints made to us about animal welfare.

"A lot of the time issues will be dealt with by advice and education and it is not always appropriate to publicise this information for legal reasons."

Mr Trueman said he was grateful the matter was quickly resolved but hopes the incident encourages greater understanding of farming practices and the role working dogs play in managing livestock.

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