A FARMER has pleaded with dog owners to clear up after their pet after losing 50 per cent of his calves.
Tom Gould is a Commoner of the New Forest and manages a herd of around 40 cows. However, he lost 18 calves last year after the pregnant cows grazed on land covered in dog poo and became infected with Neospora caninum.
Mr Gould told the Daily Echo the herd were turned out to the New Forest and brought back to calve, but a slowing of calves prompted concern.
He said: “Blood tests showed Neospora-caused abortions and that’s mainly caused by dog mess not being picked up.
“There has always been a bit of Neospora rumbling around in the Forest but not to the extent it happened last year.
“More and more Commoners are coming to me saying ‘do you think that’s why my cows aborted’.
“We need everyone to help us because it’s an awful set back to lose half of your income.”
Mr Gould said the initial impact would cost in the region of £30,000 but the issue could continue for many years.
He continued: “There’s a 20 per cent greater…
