Last Friday Robin supported a new Private Members Bill to increase protections for livestock from worrying by dogs.
The bill, with Robin's name on it, creates new, separate offences of worrying and attacking, gives authorities extra powers to seize and detain dogs and also means to trace owners.
Robin Millar said:
"Livestock worrying by dogs is a real concern for sheep farmers. This bill contains practical measures to help deal with our of control dogs and their owners. It can be very traumatising for livestock who are terrorised by dogs out of control. Owners see the sunshine and the open spaces - and their dogs see the sheep and livestock. Harm may not be intended but too often a walk in the country ends in tragedy and upset.
"I'm very pleased to support his bill which has been developed in conjunction with farmers and government, by my colleague Therese Coffey, who is a former Secretary of State for DEFRA."
Robin added:
"I am a dog owner myself and it is vital all owners remember that we are responsible for their behaviour and control at all times. I have spoken with local farmers about this problem and I'm delighted we are able to do something to help."
One of the farmers Robin has spoken to, local Dyffryn Conwy sheep farmer, Aled Jones has a unique perspective on this:
"I speak as a breeder of pedigree livestock and the owner of a boarding kennel. Responsible dog owners and farmers should welcome a clarification and strengthening of the law to protect livestock.
"It is clear that even the most responsible dog owners are effectively in charge of a domesticated hunting animal.
"Our responsibility to our pets is to keep them safe and not present them with temptation. Owners should always have their dog on a lead, even when livestock appear to be in a neighbouring field.
"Using a lead is such a simple solution to keep your dog and livestock safe. After all, we are all fed by farmers - including your dog."
Robin concluded:
"With lambing season approaching this is a timely reminder to all dog owners - the kindest thing you can do around livestock is keep your dog on a lead."
AELOD SENEDDOL YN CEFNOGI BIL I DDELIO Â CHŴN SY’N AFLONYDDU AR DDA BYW
Ddydd Gwener diwethaf, fe wnaeth Robin Millar, AS Aberconwy, gefnogi Bil Aelodau Preifat newydd i helpu i ddiogelu da byw rhag cael eu haflonyddu gan gŵn.
Mae’r bil, o dan enw Robin, yn sefydlu troseddau newydd ar wahân o aflonyddu ac ymosod, yn rhoi pwerau ychwanegol i awdurdodau atafaelu a chadw cŵn, ac hefyd yn fodd i olrhain perchnogion.
Dywedodd Robin Millar:
“Mae cŵn yn aflonyddu ar anifeiliaid yn bryder gwirioneddol, yn enwedig i ffermwyr defaid. Mae’r bil hwn yn cynnwys mesurau ymarferol i helpu i ddelio â chŵn sydd allan o reolaeth a’u perchnogion. Gall fod yn brofiad trawmatig iawn i dda byw sy’n cael eu dychryn yn enbyd gan gŵn sydd allan o reolaeth. I berchnogion, y cyfan maen nhw’n ei weld yw’r heulwen a’r holl lecynnau agored – ond mae’r cŵn yn gweld y defaid a’r da byw. Efallai nad yw’r cŵn yn gwneud dim drwg yn fwriadol, ond yn rhy aml o lawer mae mynd am dro yng nghefn gwlad yn arwain at drasiedi a gofid.
“Rwy’n falch iawn o gefnogi’r bil sydd wedi cael ei lunio ar y cyd rhwng ffermwyr a’r llywodraeth, gan fy nghydweithiwr, Therese Coffey, sy’n gyn-Ysgrifennydd Gwladol DEFRA.”
Ychwanegodd Robin:
“Mae gen i gi fy hun ac mae’n hanfodol bod pob perchennog yn cofio ein bod yn gyfrifol am ymddygiad ein cŵn ac am eu cadw dan reolaeth bob amser. Rydw i wedi siarad â ffermwyr lleol am y broblem hon ac rydw i’n falch iawn ein bod ni’n gallu gwneud rhywbeth i helpu.”
Mae gan un o’r ffermwyr mae Robin wedi siarad ag ef, sef Aled Jones sy’n ffermwr defaid lleol yn Nyffryn Conwy, bersbectif unigryw ar hyn:
“Rwy’n siarad fel bridiwr anifeiliaid pedigri ac fel perchennog lle i gadw cŵn. Dylai perchnogion cŵn cyfrifol a ffermwyr groesawu’r eglurhad hwn a’r bwriad i atgyfnerthu’r gyfraith i amddiffyn da byw.
“Rhaid cofio bod hyd yn oed y perchnogion cŵn mwyaf cyfrifol, mewn gwirionedd, yn gyfrifol am anifail hela domestig.
“Ein cyfrifoldeb ni i’n hanifeiliaid anwes yw eu cadw’n ddiogel a pheidio â rhoi temtasiwn o’u blaenau. Dylai perchnogion gadw eu cŵn ar dennyn bob amser, hyd yn oed os yw’n ymddangos mai yn y cae drws nesaf mae’r da byw.
“Mae defnyddio tennyn yn ateb mor syml i gadw eich ci a’r da byw yn ddiogel. Wedi’r cyfan, ffermwyr sy’n bwydo pob un ohonom – gan gynnwys eich ci.”
Wrth gloi, dywedodd Robin:
“A ninnau ar drothwy’r tymor wyna, mae hon yn neges amserol i bob perchennog ci – y peth mwyaf caredig y gallwch ei wneud yw cadw eich ci ar dennyn os oes da byw gerllaw.”