New life after attack: sheep brings the world to healthy lambs

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attacks on sheep in Lohmar: Little understanding of protective dogs

in Lohmar there was another incident in which a dog attacked sheep, which led to serious injuries and miscarriage. The shepherd Thomas Schneider faced the difficult situation when one of the attacked sheep gave birth to healthy twins despite the injuries. The dog owner who fled after the incident has not yet contacted him. Another sheep suffered so serious injuries that it had to be put to sleep. These incidents also highlight the challenges with which sheep breeders are faced.

Problem of herd protection dogs

A herd protection dog could possibly ward off such attacks, but the shepherds face the challenge that many people do not understand the function and behavior of these dogs. According to Schneider, herd protection dogs are complained about at night, which is essential behavior in order to ward off potential attackers. This leads to complaints, as in the case of Manu Gardeweg, whose herding dog was asked to rest by the regulatory authority at night due to its sound expressions.

costs and competition

The introduction of herd protection dogs also has financial implications. According to Simon Darscheid, the district chairman of the Bergisches Schafkwehrerverband, the acquisition costs for such dogs are around 6000 euros, plus further annual expenses of 2000 euros for feed, insurance and veterinary care. These high costs represent a significant barrier for many shepherds, especially if they have to compete with international providers. Despite the challenges, there are consumers who consciously buy meat from regional sheep breeders, which helps the local companies.

The influence of wolves

The increasing presence of wolves represents further risks. Darscheid emphasizes that fences often no longer be enough to protect sheep, since wolves easily overcome high fences. This makes the topic of herd protection urgent and requires legal regulations that support the shepherds. Protection of sheep farming is not only an economic question, but also a contribution to landscape maintenance and the preservation of traditional management methods.

The situation in Lohmar is part of a major problem that affects many shepherds in Germany. The challenges resulting from predators and the associated costs endanger the livelihood of many companies and require urgent solutions at both local and legislative level.