New signs have been displayed along Abergavenny Road between Govilon and Blaenavon and in the Blorenge Mountain car parks, to try to prevent speeding, dog attacks, distress to animals and also the feeding of animals which can result in vehicle accidents and injury to animals.
These issues have caused a problem for the commoners who keep their animals on the land. The scenic area attracts dog walkers however the commoners are asking dog owners to keep their dogs under control especially during lambing season. Dog attacks are a serious problem but are relatively rare. Most owners are unaware that even by their dog chasing a sheep or getting too close to it whilst it is pregnant can cause the sheep to abort the lamb.
Another issue is members of the public leaving piles of food scraps and vegetable peeling for animals on the side of the road. Food left can attract animals to the busy road leading to animals being knocked over and car accidents.
Alan Stinchcombe who keeps his sheep on the land explained, ‘If a sheep and their lambs get separated after being chased by dogs, it’s difficult for them to find each other which can lead to the lambs not surviving. We lose a sheep or lamb every week either because they’re hit by cars or attacked or scared by dogs.’
Speeding vehicles is a problem along the road. PC Rob Maddocks who works for the Forgotten Landscapes Project covers the area. He explained, ‘The road has a 60mph speed limit but has lots of sharp bends and steep drops. Sheep often walk on the road, attracted by food and we’re urging drivers to use caution and drive carefully.’
All commoners who keep their animals on the land have to be part of the Commoners Association with strict regulations on what animals they can keep and how they can act whilst on the land.
Alan Stinchcombe added, ‘We’re not asking people not to use the area, but this is our living and we’re asking if people can be considerate to our animals.’
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