VISITING cyclists and others who bring pet dogs to the Forest and let them run loose are being blamed for adding to a sharp rise in sheep-worrying incidents.
Chairman of the Commoners' Association Don Johns has suffered three recent attacks on his own sheep near his Bream home – five were badly mauled last week, of which one is dead and two have lost their lambs.
"It isn't just that – the rest were chased around, and they're all ready to lamb. It's what's going on inside them that's a worry.
"Most of the problem is visiting people just letting their dogs roam off out of sight. Sheep are a fact of life in the Forest, and also people are free to walk their dogs – that's fine, but they must be under control."
He said the numbers of incidents arising near picnic spots was of some concern.
If necessary commoners could shoot dogs that were worrying sheep but he was keen not to paint a picture of trigger-happy shepherds roaming the Forest.
"I am one of only 12 people in the whole Forest who can carry a shotgun – but this can only be after an attack, which must be reported to the police, and then we can apply to Forest Enterprise for a one-month permit.
"In turn they double-check with police before issuing a licence."
Urging dog owners to be more aware, Forest of Dean dog warden Pat Edwards said sheep worrying had now become a major problem.
"Unfortunately the main culprits are dogs brought into the area by townies," she said.
"Dogs owned and bred locally and kept in the Forest from puppies are used to the sheep and take little or no notice of them, but people who come to live in the Forest often let their dogs out without a second thought and are then surprised to find them in trouble.
"I am frequently being told that dogs chasing sheep are only playing and they do not mean any harm. But a lot of these people have no idea that chasing sheep is in fact sheep worrying and can cause a lot of problems."
A further problem, she said, was being caused by people visiting the Forest for bike rides.
"There has been an increase in the number of people who bring their dogs along and let them run behind them. We have had a number of cases where dogs have been tempted to set off after sheep," she said.