I AM really glad that sheep will be integrated into the Forest starting in April.
I have read the new agreement between the Commoners and the Forestry Commission. Point 3 states that sheep will be marked and ear-tagged to give owner identification.
My concern is that in the past few years I have taken injured and maggot-infested sheep to the vet, the sheep never had any identification so I had to agree to pay the vet bill before treatment was given. I felt cross and upset because I couldn't leave a sheep to suffer but why should I pay for someone else's animal?
Have other Review readers rescued injured sheep? What has been their experience?
With all agencies involved in this new agreement where/who can the general public contact when we find sick animals?
Could local vets have more information about who local sheep owners/ commoners are, with contact numbers available?
I do understand that most of Commoners probably care for their sheep quite well, but there will always be the rogue badgers who simply don't care – they won't just not exist any more. They will use the system as usual.
I also hope there will be stricter controls of disposing of sheep carcases – no longer at Mireystock/Cannop and Brierley down steep bracken banks where no-one is supposed to notice!
Let's hope there really will be a new beginning for Forest sheep – they deserve it. – Margaret Saye, central Lydbrook.