Dog owners warned by police as two sheep are injured at Tayinloan farm

MID Argyll police have been made aware of injuries to two sheep at a farm in Tayinloan.

On Thursday January 5 the sheep, both likely to be pregnant, were found injured in a field near Ferry Farm. It is strongly suspected a dog caused the injuries. The farmer is treating the injuries to the sheep, which include a badly torn leg and tail bitten off.

Sergeant Iain MacNicol of Lochgilphead Police commented: ‘With lambing season approaching, the following advice is par was ticularly important but it applies all year round. Dog owners have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control at all times and dogs should be kept on a close lead when anywhere near livestock. It is particularly important at lambing time for owners to keep dogs well away from sheep because even just the sight of a dog in the distance can be enough to panic sheep and scare them away from their lambs.

‘It is a criminal offence for dogs to be allowed to attack or chase livestock. It is also an offence for dogs to be at large (i.e. not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field in which there are sheep. Dog owners can be prosecuted and fined up to £1000. Dog owners can also be held financially liable for damages done by a dog.’

Police are investigating the incident and are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information to contact them on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.