Heartbreak as pet is shot by farmer
Reporter: Marina Berry
Date published: 13 August 2009
A DEVASTATED family has issued a stark warning to dog owners after their beloved pet was shot dead in front of them by a farmer.
Jack, a black labradoodle, was killed when he ran into a field of sheep through an open gate from Tandle Hill Park, Royton.
Four-year-old Rebecca and Daniel (eight) Moore were in hysterics as they stood in the park with their mother, Emma, while her partner, Matt, tried to catch the dog.
But the 21-month-old pet was shot as it chased the sheep.
Heartbroken Emma (27) said: “It was the first time we had been to the park together as a family. If only we had known it was going to be the worst thing we had ever decided to do.
“I want to make other dog owners aware they can lose their pride and joy in a flash.
“I wouldn’t want to put the blame for what happened on anyone, the farmer didn’t know Jack wasn’t going to rip his sheep apart.
“But if we were to ever have another dog I would never want to let it off the lead near farmland, or even take it where there are sheep around.
“If we could relive the day I would have put Jack on the lead.
“We had all walked up to the point and were following the path back to the park when Jack disappeared through an open gate into a farmer’s field.
“We shouted him but he wasn’t listening, he was playing with the sheep.”
Emma said Jack died after three shots were fired, and recalled: “We had seen the sheep. Jack jumped up in the grass to see them and I said it was a good job there was a fence and he couldn’t get through.
“But unknown to us, the gate was open into the park, and now I want to make other people aware of how easily they can lose a pet.
“We are all devastated, we had him for 17 months, he was like one of our children, and Rebecca keeps asking for him.”
Emma admitted: “We understand as dog owners we have responsibilities, but our lives are so empty now without Jack.
“Daniel and Rebecca will never be able to go to Tandle Hill Park again because of this horrible tragedy.
Jack was well known near the family’s home in Salts Street, Shaw.
Emma said: “He was a really popular dog. He used to sit on the wall and everyone patted him as they went past.
“He is missed by so many people. He would never have hurt anyone, we have two rabbits he used to play with and that’s all he was trying to do with the sheep.”
