Eryri Sheep Deaths Prompt Warning to Dog Owners, Wales 2026

Key Points

• Dog owners alerted after sheep killed in Eryri following attacks on livestock.
• North Wales Police have stated that several cases are not being reported to the police or farmers.
• The last reported attack took place on 12th September 2026 in Brithdir near Llanberis.
• In the attack, a Scotch cross ewe was killed.
• The police have stated that it was the third attack by the dogs in the area in three months.
• Three sheep have been killed so far in the land by dogs according to the police.
• PCSO Rhys Evans called upon people to report the attacks immediately for the treatment of the injured animals.
• The police stated that the sheep tend to hide themselves when chased and hence there is a need for immediate reporting.
• The dog owners have been asked to take their animals on leads and control them near livestock.
• The police have stated that chasing livestock by dogs causes fear and stress and is a criminal offence.
• The warning comes in view of the requirements of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock Act) Amendment 2025.

Wales (Wales Times) September 18, 2026 – North uk/police/">Wales Police has warned dog owners after sheep were killed in a series of attacks across Eryri, also known as Snowdonia.

Dog owners warned after sheep killed in Eryri as North Wales Police urged people walking in the countryside to keep their dogs on leads, maintain close control and report livestock attacks without delay.

The latest incident was reported on Saturday, 12 September, on Brithdir land near Llanberis. According to the report by the Daily Post, the attack led to the death of a Scotch cross ewe.

Police said the farmer had reported it was the third attack on the same land within three months. The incidents have resulted in three sheep being killed by dogs, according to North Wales Police.

The force said the attacks were part of a wider problem in which incidents involving livestock are not always reported to officers or farmers. Police warned that a lack of reporting can result in injured sheep being left without timely treatment, causing unnecessary suffering and, in some cases, death.

The warning is particularly focused on the Eryri mountain range, where police said a number of recent attacks have taken place.

Why have police urged immediate reporting?

PCSO Rhys Evans said anyone who witnesses a dog attack or finds livestock that may have been chased should contact the police or the farmer immediately.

As reported by the Daily Post, PCSO Evans said:

“Any such attack needs to be reported immediately to the police or the farmer, in order that the animal can be treated to avoid unnecessary suffering.”

He explained that sheep can hide for a considerable period after being chased. This means an animal may not be visible to the person who witnesses the incident, and the farmer may not realise that it has been injured.

“When sheep are spread out over a vast area, they’re often not checked for days or weeks at a time,” PCSO Evans said, according to the Daily Post. He added that this was why it was important for attacks to be reported promptly.

The police warning highlights the difficulty farmers face when livestock are grazing across large areas of open countryside. A sheep that has been chased may move away from the rest of the flock, hide in a remote location or suffer injuries that are not immediately visible.

Early reporting can help farmers search the area, identify injured animals and arrange veterinary care where necessary. It may also help police establish where and how an attack occurred.

What has police said to dog owners?

PCSO Evans urged anyone walking near livestock in the countryside to keep their dogs on leads and maintain close control.

The advice applies particularly to people using paths and open areas where sheep and other farm animals are present. Police said owners are responsible for preventing their dogs from chasing or attacking livestock.

The Daily Post reported PCSO Evans as saying:

“Allowing a dog to chase livestock can cause significant stress, fear and injury – and it is a criminal offence.”

The warning covers more than direct physical attacks. A dog running after sheep can cause panic, leading animals to scatter, become injured or move into dangerous areas. The stress caused by a chase can also affect livestock even when no obvious wound is found.

Police said owners must take practical steps to prevent their dogs from approaching animals. Keeping a dog on a lead is particularly important when livestock are nearby or when an owner is unsure whether the dog will respond reliably to commands.

The advice also places emphasis on close control rather than simply assuming that a dog will not chase. A dog that is normally calm may react differently when it encounters sheep in an open countryside setting.

What did PCSO Rhys Evans say about responsibility?

PCSO Evans said dog owners have the ability to stop attacks before they happen.

“A dog’s owner is the only person who can prevent an attack from happening, and you may have to pay the ultimate price if you cannot control your animal,” he said, as reported by the Daily Post.

He added: “Responsible dog ownership is key in tackling these awful incidents.”

The statement places responsibility on owners to understand how their dogs behave around livestock and to take precautions before entering grazing areas. It also reinforces the message that owners should not wait until a dog has chased or injured an animal before taking action.

For walkers, the warning means considering the surroundings before allowing a dog off the lead. If sheep are visible, or if livestock may be present behind walls, hedges or on open mountain land, keeping the dog restrained can reduce the risk of an incident.

What is the legal warning for dog owners?

North Wales Police said walkers should keep their dogs on leads and under close control, as required by the Dogs (Protection of Livestock Act) Amendment 2025.

Police also stated that allowing a dog to chase livestock is a criminal offence. The warning therefore concerns both animal welfare and the legal responsibilities of dog owners.

The report does not identify a suspect or state that an arrest has been made in connection with the Brithdir attacks. It also does not provide details about the specific dogs involved in the latest incident.

However, the police message makes clear that livestock attacks should be reported even if the dog or owner has left the area. Prompt information may help farmers and officers assess the incident and prevent further harm.

People who witness an attack should avoid putting themselves at risk. The most important information to pass on is the location, the type of livestock involved, the direction in which the dog and owner travelled, and any identifying details that can be safely observed.

Why is the Eryri warning significant for farmers?

Farmers in Eryri manage livestock across wide areas of mountain and countryside land. The scale of the landscape can make it difficult to inspect every animal regularly, especially when sheep become separated from the flock after being chased.

The latest incident has increased concern because it was reportedly the third attack on the same land within three months. The deaths of three sheep demonstrate the potential consequences when dogs are not controlled near livestock.

For farmers, an attack can create several problems beyond the loss of an individual animal. Injured sheep may require treatment, additional monitoring or removal from the hill. Farmers may also need to spend time searching for animals that have scattered.

The Daily Post report did not provide an estimate of the financial value of the sheep killed or details about compensation. It also did not state whether the owner of the dog responsible for the latest attack had been identified.

The police warning instead focuses on prevention, reporting and the responsibility of dog owners to reduce the likelihood of livestock being chased.

What should walkers do near livestock?

Walkers visiting Eryri and other countryside areas should take precautions whenever livestock may be nearby.

Recommended steps based on the police warning include:

• Keep dogs on leads when walking near sheep or other farm animals.
• Maintain close control of the dog throughout the walk.
• Avoid allowing a dog to approach, chase or circle livestock.
• Report any attack or suspected injury immediately to the police or the relevant farmer.
• Provide the precise location of the incident.
• Do not assume that livestock are unharmed simply because there is no visible injury.
• Do not delay reporting an incident if sheep have scattered or disappeared from view.

The central concern is that an attack may not end when the dog stops chasing. Sheep may remain distressed, run away from the flock or hide for an extended period. A delay in reporting can therefore prevent farmers from locating and treating an injured animal.

How does the warning affect visitors to Eryri?

Eryri attracts walkers, tourists and local residents who use the mountain range and surrounding countryside throughout the year. Many visitors may be unfamiliar with the location of grazing livestock or the risks created when dogs are allowed to run freely.

The police warning applies to anyone walking with a dog near livestock, regardless of whether they live locally or are visiting the area. Visitors should follow signs, respect farmland and take extra care in open areas where sheep may be spread across a large distance.

Dog owners may believe that their pet is unlikely to harm livestock. However, police advice is based on prevention: owners should not rely solely on assumptions about a dog’s temperament or previous behaviour.

Keeping a dog on a lead also gives an owner greater control if livestock suddenly appear on a path or nearby hillside.

Background: livestock attacks in Eryri

The warning follows a series of dog attacks on sheep in the Eryri mountain range, including the latest incident reported on Brithdir land near Llanberis on 12 September 2026.

North Wales Police said the latest attack was the third on that land within three months and that three sheep had died as a result of dog attacks there. Police also said many incidents are not being reported to officers or farmers, creating a risk that injured animals may remain untreated.

PCSO Rhys Evans said sheep can hide after being chased and may not be checked for days or weeks when they are spread across a large area. The Dogs (Protection of Livestock Act) Amendment 2025 was cited in the police guidance to dog owners.

The Daily Post report, “Dog owners warned after sheep killed in Eryri attacks”, did not include a named journalist in the article information provided. The statements attributed above are therefore credited to the Daily Post and North Wales Police, with direct remarks attributed to PCSO Rhys Evans.

Prediction: what could happen next for dog owners?

The immediate effect is likely to be increased pressure on dog owners visiting Eryri to use leads and maintain closer control around livestock. Police and farmers may also encourage quicker reporting of suspected attacks so that injured sheep can be found and treated.

If further incidents are reported, visitors could face stronger reminders about livestock protection, including additional signage or more visible advice on popular walking routes. The police warning may also encourage dog owners to plan routes that avoid grazing areas when they cannot guarantee control of their animals.

For farmers, faster reporting could improve the chances of locating injured sheep and identifying areas where attacks are occurring repeatedly. For dog owners, the safest approach is to treat the warning as a practical responsibility: use a lead near livestock, remain alert and report any incident immediately.