Think before shooting

Rights of sheep worrying law

circumstance that they can legally do this, in the same sentence.

Yes, every dog owner should be held responsible if they have a dog out of total control; the laziness and arrogance of the owners of badly behaved dogs frustrates me, as there is no excuse.

And, yes, sheep worrying is an extremely serious matter for the farmer and the sheep.

The Dangerous Dogs Act gives you the right to report and criminalise the owners, but not to shoot the dog.

Pet dogs are protected under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Animals Act 1971.

If a farmer cannot prove that the dog was in the act of worrying and there was no practicable means of finding who it belonged to, they can face imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to £20,000 and a police review of the farmer’s suitability to hold a firearms certificate.

The SSPCA has and will legally support the owners of dogs shot by trigger-happy farmers.

So please, all Scottish farmers, think before you react with a gun to sheep worrying; you will need to have evidence that you found and warned the owners beforehand and could show that the dog repeated the act, to avoid you finding yourself in very deep water. Christine Fotheringham Dog behaviourist

Councillor Bob Band holding will be surgery his next at Campus, Glenearn Perth Glenearn 6 and onTuesday Road, 6.30pm. between No appointments necessary.