Worries over huge number of sheep wandering around Welsh town

A ranger could be recruited to help tackle wandering sheep in a Welsh town almost three years after the concept of appointing a shepherd was turned down. The prospect of recruiting a shepherd to gather stray sheep in Blaenavon was presented to Torfaen council in September 2023 by councillor Nick Horler, who said residents had similarly suggested the idea around 10 years previously. Torfaen Borough Council dismissed appointing a shepherd three years ago due to financial considerations but the council's cabinet member for the environment, Mandy Owen, indicated a ranger with responsibility for stray sheep might now be explored following Cllr Horler's renewed focus on the issue of stray sheep at the authority's May meeting. The independent councillor said there is an "increased number of sheep roaming around" Blaenavon which he said is causing concern for their welfare and he blamed on vandalism to stock proof fencing. At the May meeting Cllr Horler asked: "Is now time to restate a shepherd to ease the current concerns raised by many of our community?" Cllr Owen said a "ranger role" could be considered as a result of discussions at the Blaenavon World Heritage Town Partnership group. The Labour councillor said: "Through the Blaenavon World Heritage Partnership the council is leading work to explore introducing a new ranger role to support day to day management, coordination and communication in relation to straying of stock and wider common land issues. This proposal is dependant on partner organisations contributing funding." Additional discussions are anticipated at a partnership meeting in July, while Cllr Owen confirmed council officials are also examining how they can assist with managing straying sheep. However, the cabinet member also noted officers have undertaken "a lot of work" with livestock owners, and are exploring best practice from elsewhere in Wales, though emphasised the council "can't require landowners to erect or maintain stock proof fencing". She also said the council has recently completed repairs and renewal of stock-proof fencing around Llanfoist Avenue and Balls Pond. In September 2023 Cllr Horler reported that residents in Forgeside were terrorised by a stray ram whose owner could not be traced.