On 6 May, a Wednesday evening, Tony Hailey discovered a heifer on his land that had been savaged by a dog. Sadly, the heifer later died.
Tony and his fiance, Tammy, commented, “We went to check on the cattle around 7:30pm and when we arrived all of the cattle were running round, distressed, breathing heavily and sweating. On seeing this we knew that something was up from the way they were behaving. Unfortunately as we looked at them more closely one of them fell back and collapsed due to a heart attack from all the stress: she just couldn’t take any more and passed away in front of us. It was really sad to witness. She was called Izzy and she was so special to us.
“We were devastated. She had been born on the late Queen’s Balmoral Castle estate and we were lucky enough to be able to purchase the heifer, enabling us to carry on breeding the bloodline established by Her Majesty. The cow was a vital part of our breeding programme, the more significant as King Charles III is no longer breeding the Highlands.
“Unfortunately, she was in calf, so not only did we lose her, but we lost her baby, too. Now we are praying that the other pregnant heifers in our stock do not abort because of the stress caused by running round. Had we been on the farm we would have heard the commotion and been able to take action – but sadly we weren’t.
“Once we were able to get close to the others to check them more closely we could see that there were some severe puncture wounds in evidence and missing flesh from the chest and shoulders of one of them. These wounds have now been treated by us: they are healing well. The herd is still unsettled and on alert.”
Have the police been informed?
Yes, we have reported the incident. Crime ref: 6 May 1516
Would you like to hear from anyone with information about this tragedy?
Yes, please or call the police quoting the reference or my telephone number 07799881747.
Are you setting up any surveillance to help prevent this happening again?
Unfortunately we cannot get CCTV where the crime took place but we will be putting up signs warning walkers and explaining that livestock worrying is a criminal offence.
Dogs caught offending will be shot.
Do you come from a farming background?
I am not. I was raised in Orpington, Kent, and my family moved to Peasmarsh in 2000 when I instantly fell in love with country life and the countryside. I attended Plumpton College, studying agriculture.
I have worked on several farms over the years, both livestock and arable, and now we are running a successful business selling firewood to local areas and carry out agricultural fencing contracting. We also work for local zoos, building new animal enclosures, alongside the farming aspects of our business rearing cattle, sheep, and pigs.
Tammy, my fiancée, was born and raised in Rye. She also did not come from a farming background but when I met her back in 2012 her passion for farming was inspiring.
Our daughter Lola, aged seven, also has the passion for the Highland cattle and wants to share with others the love and joy they bring to us all.
When did you start breeding cattle?
2017 was when we purchased Izzy, the first Highland, and started breeding a year or so after that
You have a new venture – can you tell readers about it?
We want to share the love and joy our friendly Highland cattle bring to us. Come along for a special 30-minute session during which you can:
• Take as many photos as you like
• Hand-feed our fluffy residents
• Give them a fuss and a stroke
• See our other cows, pigs, sheep and lambs, and small-holding farm life
We are called Meats and Greets and hope to offer camping on site in the future.
Cost: £10 per person (minimum two people)
Fold Farm, Rye Road, Rye Foreign, TN31 7SX
Ready to make some furry friends? Please get in touch with Tony and Tammy at 07799881747 or 07432317335 to book your date.
Image Credits: Fold Farm .