Over Farm boss in court after dog bit ewe

“"The dogs are not dangerous, but I admit they were up there and we are keeping them under stricter control now"

Unfortunately Mr Keene, I find this comment very hard to believe.

I, along with many other dog walkers, enjoy the use of the cycle path as a nice walk and at the end can grab a piece of fudge or a box of strawberries to induldge in on the way home. However, I will no longer walk my cocker spaniel down to Over Farm Market as it is such a horrible experience meeting with the famous 'Over Farm Labrador'. I have been walking my dog down there before when he was a fairly young pup, to be greeted by a, not very happy, big labrador. This dog picked my poor pooch up by the neck and shook him around like a toy. I was very relieved to have been with someone able to think on his feet much more than myself and managed to get this horrible dog to run away. I have since seen/heard this dog numerous times attacking other dogs along this track. It's horrendous! People can't even walk their dogs without fear of attack anymore. This dog either needs to be locked in a garden of some sort with a muzzle or put down! It's not fair on other dog owners having to pay out for what your dog has done. And Mr Keene isn't one to accept blame unless it can be proven to be his dog's fault by the looks of it. This dog has too much space to run free and do as it wishes, the owners can't possibly be up-to-date with the mischief that he is doing! I have found this dog wondering the park in Highnam before, with young children around. Imagine the damage that could happen if this dog happened to take a disliking to someone's toddler...

I am very disappointed that someone so 'respectable' can have such a monster as a pet.”

“As a responsible farmer, grower and dog owner Mr Keene should be well aware of the law and his duty to with regard to dogs and sheep. Both he and Miss Ezra should not have allowed their dogs to stray into a nearby field of sheep where they were able to chase, attack, maim and potentially kill.

Mr Keene is quick to plead that the dogs are not dangerous. I don't think that the sheep would agree with him but then perhaps Mr Keene does not believe that the welfare of sheep is of high importance.

It sounds as though the owner of the sheep has shown compassion and consideration to Mr Keene, Miss Ezra and their dogs by not insisting that the dogs be destroyed. What more can Mr Keene expect from a long established friendship? Even now Mr Keene doesn't appear to be sorry or remorseful so what does that say about friendship?

Always the business man, Mr Keene has clearly spotted the opportunity for a nice shot of himself and the business with some free advertising space for his fruit and veg. Is this really the time and the place?

I sincerely hope that these dogs do not attack again. Sadly though, Mr Keene doesn't seem to have taken any of this seriously. Driving in to work I notice that the field remains empty so I guess my scepticism is also shared by the sheep farmer.

Mr Keene, as a pioneer, you should be setting a far better example.”

“"It is a shame that this has had to come to court as the owner of the sheep and I have been good friends for years."

So what?

"It is sad that this could not have been sorted out differently"

What, like him being given an order to have the dogs put down? £100 find seems like he got off fairly lightly, I wonder if anyone else would have had the same fine. As he's a landowner he must know about sheep worrying and if he has a neighbour who has sheep in an adjoining field then he should realise that there's a chance that loose dogs will chase the sheep, it's what they do given half a chance. I bet any dogs that come with their owners to look around his animals have to be kept on leads so how would he feel if someone let their dog run wild and worry his livestock, not very happy and wouldn't hesitate to prosecute I bet.

Another thing, what the heck has the fact that he sells over 80 different types of fruit and vegetables got to do with this report? It wouldn't have been quite so bad if he'd had a remorseful look on his face instead of that big grin, shows how seriously he takes it all.”

“Fact is as a farmer Mr Keene should have known all about the law when dogs worry sheep and the fact that a farmer can shoot a dog if it worries sheep.Why should this be sorted differently as He broke the law and deserved to be punished.still we will probably be the ones pay when he sticks 5p a kilo on his carrots and onions. Lastly a dog doesnt need to be dangerous to worry sheep so I think your missing the point Mr Keene.”

“Yes I thought that as well, especially with his nice smiley picture and the big name plates on the building.”

“Nice advert though?”

“This seems very remiss of you Mr. Keene especially when the general public are constantly being reminded to take control of their dogs.”