Free-roaming sheep

Reporting welfare concerns

If you are concerned about the welfare of sheep or livestock by the side of the road in the Forest of Dean, you can report these concerns directly to Gloucestershire County Council.

Their responsibilities include monitoring and influencing the standards of animal health & welfare on farms, in transport, at markets and other animal gatherings, in order to ensure that they are protected from cruelty and avoidable pain or distress, and also to prevent the spread of disease.

• For animal welfare livestock complaints call 01452 426060 (9.30am-16.00pm) or email [email protected]  
• For out of hours emergencies please call 03000 200301 and ask for the duty vet

Reporting a dead animal

Should you encounter a dead sheep by the side of the road, this should be reported directly to the Commoners Association.

What we do collect

• We will remove dead animals such as badgers, foxes, and domestic pets from Forest of Dean District Council owned land or the pavement.
• Large animal (e.g. boar, deer, hoofed animals) found on the highway/roads. Unless the location of the dead animal causes danger to road users.  If the animal is considered to be in a dangerous location on the highway/road, we would advise that this needs to be reported directly to Highways 08000 514 514.

What we do not collect

• If an animal is found on Forestry Commission owned land then please contact Forestry directly to remove 0300 067 4960, alternatively you can email details to [email protected]  
• Any dead or injured sheep should be reported to the Forest of Dean Commoners Association. 
• Dead animals on private property or farms - these are the responsibility of the landowner
• Animals smaller than a domestic cat. We'd recommend that these can either be put in a double bag and put in domestic waste bin, or can be left to decompose naturally.

Note: If domestic pet is reported we will first try to identify the owner through a collar or microchip and ask if they want to collect their pet themselves or would like us to dispose of them. If no identification is found and animal is not presenting a hazard we will leave them for a short time to enable the owner to find their pet and dispose of it in the manner they would like. If it is left for longer we will come and collect it.

Please be aware that we use a specialised team to remove dead animals and unless a road is being blocked, the dead animal may be left in place until our next scheduled visit to the area. 

Street cleaning

The suburbs of the towns, villages and roads across the district are cleaned on a rota basis but we will carry out an emergency clean-up if necessary.

If you believe that a location requires further street cleaning due to the presence of sheep faeces, this should be reported directly to Forest of Dean District Council using the link below.

Related Pages

• Animal welfare charter
• Report a dead animal
• Animals and wildlife