"The bite suffered by the police officer saw the skin broken 鈥� while the punch split his lip and I want to be clear that an attack of this nature will not be tolerated on an officer who puts themselves in harm's way to keep the public safe."
A dog owner has been sentenced for livestock worrying and assaulting an emergency work, both convictions being made in just 47 days.
Derbyshire Constabulary's Rural Crime Team said Demi Leigh James, of Willington, was convicted of worrying livestock at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on June 27 2025.
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After teaming up with Mercia Safer Neighbourhood Team, the conviction relates to a 'protracted and frenzied attack' on 25 ewes in October 2024.
According to police, Ms James had allowed her dog to chase the ewes to the 'point of exhaustion', with some sustaining injuries.
At court, she was fined £60, ordered to pay court costs of £620 and a victim surcharge of £24.
Ms James has also been forbidden from taking any dog on agricultural land for the next 12 months.
Biting a punching and officer
Just 47 days after her sentencing for livestock worrying, Derbyshire Constabulary said Ms James had bitten and punched a police officer in the face at Willington's Mercia Marina on August 13.
Appearing at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court again on August 18, Ms James admitted to assaulting an emergency worker and she was handed a jail term of 36 months, suspended for 12 months.
She was ordered to pay compensation of £300, a victim surcharge of £154 and costs of £85.
Police constable James Hall, from Derbyshire Constabulary's Rural Crime Team, speaking about the livestock worrying incident, said: "This incident was deeply upsetting and resulted in considerable harm to sheep near a canal tow path, close to the village of Willington.
"By working with Officer Bob from the local safer neighbourhood team, we were able to identify the woman, leading to her being charged and successfully prosecuted at court.
"The incident could have been avoided if the owner had taken precautions to keep the animal on a lead.
"Dog owners must be mindful of livestock in fields when walking animals in the countryside."
Inspector Leanne Craig, who leads the policing team for South Derbyshire, added: "Ms James' behaviour throughout both of these incidents is nothing short of appalling.
"The bite suffered by the police officer saw the skin broken – while the punch split his lip and I want to be clear that an attack of this nature will not be tolerated on an officer who puts themselves in harm's way to keep the public safe."
Take the Lead
You can support Farmers Guardian's 'Take the Lead' campaign, in association with the National Sheep Association, to raise awareness of keeping dogs on lead when near livestock.
We can provide you with free signs, in English and Welsh, to place around your farm warning dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead near livestock.
To request yours, send a stamped self-addressed A4 envelope to: FG Take the Lead, Farmers Guardian, Unit 4, Fulwood Business Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 9NZ.
We will be able to send up to 25 signs.
Alternatively, you can contact reporter Chris Brayford if you have been a victim of a livestock worrying incident and if you wish to share your story at [email protected].
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