Archie, a 15-month old Bedlington Terrier, was killed last week

Village couple left ‘devastated’ by dog shooting

By Nick Gill Wednesday, February 22, 2012
10:09 AM

A FAMILY which has been left “absolutely devastated” after their young dog was shot dead want to warn other pet owners about the dangers of using a countryside path.

Keith Harrison with a photo of his dog Archie near the scene of the incident in Clay End. Photo by Keith Dobney.

Gill Harrison was walking her 15-month old dog Archie along a rural bridleway near her home in Walkern last Tuesday afternoon when he disappeared through a hedge and into a farm.

Mrs Harrison, who lives in Clay End, called for the Bedlington Terrier and used a dog whistle but to no avail, so she called her husband Keith to tell him what had happened.

“I then got a call from a local number so I was thinking someone had found him,” said Mr Harrison.

“The man asked me if I had a dog called Archie and I said ‘yes’. He then said ‘I just shot him dead’.

The couple have put up posters to warn fellow dog owners. Photo by Keith Dobney.

“He said it was because Archie had been worrying his chickens.”

The couple confronted farm owner Jack Twomey who admittedly killing Archie, but was able to lawfully shoot the dog because it was on his land and had been worrying his chickens. No livestock were killed during the incident.

“We’re responsible dog owners - if he’d come and said we’d have put him on a lead”, said Mrs Harrison.

“So many people use this path and I feel everyone should know. I can’t believe someone could do that, he was just a harmless dog. We are absolutely devastated.”

The couple, who have put up warning posters in the surrounding area, added that they had always put Archie on a lead when passing areas where pheasants are often shot, but had never had any problems around Clay End.

“There is no fence and there are gaps in the hedge so anyone could wander into the farm,” said Mrs Harrison.

Responding, Mr Twomey, who lives at Bridges Farm and owns free range chickens, said: “It was attacking my hen so I shot it, that was all there was too it. Initially I thought it was a fox so I got my shotgun and then saw it was a dog. I’m sorry that I shot it but it was attacking my hen.”

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43 comments

I am amazed at the lack of feeling and the callousness of some people posting on this story. Anyone who owns or who has owned a dog would sympathise with Ken and Gill who despite the rights and wrongs have lost a cherished and clearly much loved family pet. Dj Geoff, artschool and Stevenage 1234 you should be ashamed of yourselves for your comments.

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Marshman

Monday, February 27, 2012
I am amazed at the lack of feeling and the callousness of some people posting on this story. Anyone who owns or who has owned a dog would sympathise with Ken and Gill who despite the rights and wrongs have lost a cherished and clearly much loved family pet. Dj Geoff, artschool and Stevenage 1234 you should be ashamed of yourselves for your comments.

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Marshman

Monday, February 27, 2012
The dog deserved to be shot, it was out of control and potentially dangerous.

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Stevenage1234

Monday, February 27, 2012
You can't penalise a man for acting within his rights and within the law!

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Stevenage1234

Monday, February 27, 2012
Stop being so arrogant Keith and Gill. You're at fault, get over it!

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Stevenage1234

Monday, February 27, 2012
stenic,I think you need to look up the definition of "out of control". I doubt you would be so blase if it was your livelihood at risk.

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artschool artschool

Sunday, February 26, 2012
dj geoff and artschool how stupid inconsiderate and rude are you? you both fools. The dog slipped his lead and was not being allowed to be out of control, no chickens had been hurt, maybe if the farmer had taken proper precautions and fenced his chickens in this would not have happened, also we are talking about a small dog not a huge mastiff he could quite easily have chased the dog away or a fox for that matter. People like this farmer (and dj.geoff) just love to shot whatever they can and dont care what they shot

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stenic

Sunday, February 26, 2012
Artschool, I completely agree! Well said.

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Stevenage1234

Sunday, February 26, 2012
have the acceptance of comment now finished as comments that are being made are know not appearing on the screen? These valuable comments are essential to show the feeling and emotions people are feeling at this terrible time. Many thanks

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concerned

Sunday, February 26, 2012
Artschool, I think you need to open your eyes and see that a dog not on a lead is not a dog out of control. Secondly, no harm was done to the livestock. I can lay money Archie was chasing the Chicken for fun, not ferociously attacking the chickens. He is far to small to pose a threat to anything. So I think YOU need to amend YOUR statement and stop being so obnoxious to a family who have basically lost a member of their family.

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Ollie Daines

Friday, February 24, 2012
Artschool, I think you need to open your eyes and see that a dog not on a lead is not a dog out of control. Secondly, no harm was done to the livestock. I can lay money Archie was chasing the Chicken for fun, not ferociously attacking the chickens. He is far to small to pose a threat to anything. So I think YOU need to amend YOUR statement and stop being so obnoxious to a family who have basically lost a member of their family.

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Ollie Daines

Friday, February 24, 2012
Artschool, I think you need to open your eyes and see that a dog not on a lead is not a dog out of control. Secondly, no harm was done to the livestock. I can lay money Archie was chasing the Chicken for fun, not ferociously attacking the chickens. He is far to small to pose a threat to anything. So I think YOU need to amend YOUR statement and stop being so obnoxious to a family who have basically lost a member of their family.

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Ollie Daines

Friday, February 24, 2012
you need to change the sign to read, warning we allowed our dog to chase livestock and potentially cause damage, and it was subsequently shot. Please refrian from being as inconsiderate as us

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artschool artschool

Friday, February 24, 2012
ok dj. geoff. sounds like you know what your on about,not. read the whole story or contact me .

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concerned

Friday, February 24, 2012
oh come on! we all know the rules and country code the farmer was quite right.i suggest some of you should gen up on the country code.ok as a dof owner myself i feel for the owners of the dog but at the end of the day it was out of control, and it was seen by the farmer worrying his stock, END OF STORY! i am a shooter and work for farmers for pest control of crops from time to time and the amount of walkers that trespass onto farmers land with or with out dog is unreal. i know this dog owner was on a bridal path but his dog was not! off the lead chasing live stock. ah well they all learn the hard way

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dj.geoff

Friday, February 24, 2012
thankyou everyone for your good comments ,we need advice. you can contact me on keith.harrison2@virgin.net..........please. still keep posting

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concerned

Friday, February 24, 2012
thankyou everyone for your good comments ,we need advice. you can contact me on keith.harrison2@virgin.net..........please. still keep posting

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concerned

Friday, February 24, 2012
thankyou everyone for your good comments ,we need advice. you can contact me on keith.harrison2@virgin.net..........please. still keep posting

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concerned

Friday, February 24, 2012
My sympathies go to Ken and Gill, and I have nothing but contempt for this heartless farmer. I would be exploring the legality of this. Does he have to have warning signs? should his livestock be fenced off? Does he have a gun license? What if a young child was running just behind poor Archie? There is no excuse, anyone can see the difference between a domestic dog and a fox, and any normal human being would warn the dog off first. The man is beneath contempt

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Marshman

Friday, February 24, 2012
I am disgusted about the shooting of a dog, especially when the man couldn't tell the difference between a fox and a dog. So glad I dont live in the country.

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Margaret Fitton

Thursday, February 23, 2012
I have known Gill and her lovely family for many years and know her to be a responsible and devoted dog owner who will feel this needless loss of a young, healthy dog very deeply. I understand that farmers need to protect their livestock but the use of a firearm should surely be a last resort. From what I understand, the farmer saw Gill as she called for Archie - surely it would have been more reasonable to resolve the problem with her rather than shooting the dog.

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D Scott

Thursday, February 23, 2012
anthony we need to talk, keith

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concerned

Thursday, February 23, 2012
the man is not a farmer.he knew the dog. what about a warning first. it is his responsiblity to look after his livestock, he lives in a middle of nowhere. he knew someone was calling for the dog. you must have good dogs if they can return on command when dead

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concerned

Thursday, February 23, 2012
the dog was not out of control. it was small enough to scare away .the socalled farmer knew us and the dog .if you keep chickens in the middle of nowhere it should be your responsibility to protect them to a degree. and its very difficult for a shot dog to come back on command infact impossible. the law doesnt you have tou kill the dog commonsense should step in

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concerned

Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Dog was out of control end of story.Keep Dogs on a lead if you haven't trained them to return on command.The Farmer is protecting his livelihood its not up to the Farmer to put fences up for the benefit of dog walkers !

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brad1969

Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Dog was out of control end of story.Keep Dogs on a lead if you haven't trained them to return on command.The Farmer is protecting his livelihood its not up to the Farmer to put fences up for the benefit of dog walkers !

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brad1969

Thursday, February 23, 2012
Archie was a young healthy dog and very much loved by his family and those of us who met him out on walks. It is scary to think that a gun can be fired before any warning is given. Surely the police should be giving serious consideration as to whether this man should have a gun licence as his eyesight is so poor and his first resort is to shoot rather than take a more reasonable course of action.

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Bailey

Thursday, February 23, 2012
I also walk my dogs in this area and know Keith and Gill, they are responsible dog owners and little Archie wasnt capable of hurting a fly, this family has been left devasted and all because of a short sighted trigger happy "farmer" he shouldn't be allowed to keep his gun licence.

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Rachel

Thursday, February 23, 2012
We knew Archie and was only walking with him two days before. How cruel, Archie was a lovely young dog who's life has been taken away by this cruel man who has given no thought to this family. In our view, anyone who can't see the difference between a young dog and a fox should not be allowed to have a firearm in his possession. Who knows what he could shoot next!!

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Mollyjesslouie

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I knew Archie and couldn't believed what had happened to him. He looked nothing like a fox and was a beautiful dog. A gun should of been shot in the air as a warning, for this not to happen.

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benpotter

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Fire arms revoked until he has his eyes tested.And why did he not fire a warning shot first,or is it just a clear bigoted message to all keep of my land.

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Anthony Sewell

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I knew the dog Archie , and he was never a violent dog what that farmer did was disgusting and there should be justice

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benpotter

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The farmer is an absolute disgrace and should have his weapon removed. Hope he feels remorse for what he has done

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Beth

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I knew the dog Archie , and he was never a violent dog what that farmer did was disgusting and there should be justice

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benpotter

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I knew the dog Archie , and he was never a violent dog what that farmer did was disgusting and there should be justice

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benpotter

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
What a disgrace that farmer is, action is needed against him, poor dog, no need for this at all , should of used his head and been a bit smarter What an absolute MORON

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benpotter

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I don't know why farmers have a right to shot dead someones pet dog a member of the family a loving friend.Farmers don't care about their animals they are just living breathing pound notes to them.The farmer could quite easily tried to first chase the dog off, 2nd fired a warning shot 3rd tried the 1st and 2nd again. The dog was a small terrier (hardly difficult for a man to chase off) which had not killed any hens. Instead he choose to shot a innocent dog. People like him make me sick.

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stenic

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
oooops sorry mr heppy i put the wrong name for farmer

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Tina King

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
this is awful why did he not fire a warning shot poor dog was not a stray out on its own it was a family pet hope you hang your head in shame mr heppy you acted over the top

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Tina King

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
We also live in Clay End and are neighbours of Gill and Keith, we were devastated about the incident and wonder why the law states that a normal person who although lives on a farm which is arable not poultry can be allowed to shoot a dog that wanders into their back yard which is next to a bridle way with no fences or notices to warn people. Does this mean that anyone wherever they live that have a gun can shoot any animal that happens to stray onto their land. If this is the law then it needs changing.

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janhobbs

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
We also live in Clay End and are neighbours of Gill and Keith, we were devastated about the incident and wonder why the law states that a normal person who although lives on a farm which is arable not poultry can be allowed to shoot a dog that wanders into their back yard which is next to a bridle way with no fences or notices to warn people. Does this mean that anyone wherever they live that have a gun can shoot any animal that happens to stray onto their land. If this is the law then it needs changing.

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janhobbs

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Bit worrying that he has a shotgun and weak eyesight if he can't tell the difference between a dog and a fox! I agree with Heppy's statement why didn't he fire into the air to frighten the dog away. I understand he does need to protect his livestock, but being trigger happy is always a last resort.

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Mr_Mac

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
What about a warning shot in the air.Maybe it would have frightened the Dog and alerted the owners.

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Heppy

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

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