Campaign shows effects of sheep worrying

A new“sheep-wise”campaign to warn the public about the consequences of failing to control dogs in the countryside has been launched.

Scotland’s rural organisations are uniting behind the campaign by the National Sheep Association of Scotland and Quality Meat Scotland.

The Scottish SPCA, Police Scotland, the British Veterinary Association, NFU Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates and Scottish Natural Heritage all wish to get behind the measure to highlight the problem of sheep worrying.

The initiative includes a high-impact, two-minute film aimed at highlighting the devastation, for farmers and dog owners.

Narrated by a dog lover, the film articulates the anguish which owners face, along with potential criminal prosecution, if they fail to control their dogs properly in the countryside.

Carol McLaren, head of communications with Quality Meat Scotland, added:“A key message of the campaign is that sheep worrying is not a dog problem – it is a dog-owner problem.

“Any dog – whatever breed, size or age – has the potential to chase sheep and cause considerable harm but the responsibility lies with owners to keep their dogs under control and out of trouble.”

More information for dog owners is available by visiting www.outdooracessscotland.com

To view the“Sheep-wise”film, visit www.qmscotland.co.uk/video-library