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Search forFarmer threatens to dig up dogs
Friday, November 21, 2008, 08:00
Nick Hine's dogs were killed in September because they were said to be worrying sheep at a farm in Bishop's Norton, near Tewkesbury.
Now farmer Simon Middle, who shot them, has written to Mr Hine saying the dogs killed two of his sheep and if he doesn't pay compensation they will have to be exhumed so he can take his case to court.
Mr Hine, who lives in Bishop's Norton and runs his own business Hine Marketing in Cheltenham, said: "I don't know why he would do that."
Mabel, a four-year old pedigree whippet, and Ken, a rescued mongrel also aged four, were shot on September 16.
But Mr Hine said he had been unaware that his dogs had killed any sheep.
He added: "Simon didn't mention it to me when I was there on September 22 and when I asked the police to investigate he told them he had found two dead on his land the day after the incident.
"It's not the money that's important, but he has written again saying he'll take me to the small claims court to get it and is also threatening to dig up the dogs if I don't pay.
"That just seems to be wanting to add to my distress. My wife is worried that this will upset my children because of what they might see."
Mr Middle said: "My neighbour called me and there were four dogs chasing my flock in the field behind my house. I shot two and two got away."
He said he called the police and reported the incident, but he then saw adverts in the area trying to find the dogs.
He called Mr Hine, who came to see where the dogs were buried.
Mr Hine said: "I went to see the grave. To be fair, they had been buried in a nice spot and I thought I'd leave them there."
Relations between the two men deteriorated when Mr Middle said he found two dead sheep.
He asked Mr Hine to pay compensation and sent him an invoice for £195.
He said: "The last thing I want to do is shoot anyone's dogs.
"But I lost 26 sheep last year and this is my livelihood. I don't have any choice if I see dogs chasing 500 ewes heavy with lamb.
"My vet said the sheep died of heart attacks which you'd expect if they're being chased.
"I don't want to dig up the dogs. But if I have to sue him for the compensation, my solicitor has told me I will need to prove ownership of the dogs. They are chipped so it is possible."
A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire police said: "This is now a civil dispute and not a matter for the police."
don't dig up our dogs: Nick Hine with son Richard (left) and (inset) dogs Ken and Mabel
