Dog walkers told: keep pets on lead
Dog owners are being warned to keep their pets on a lead when walking in rural areas.
With lambing season now here, farmers and crofters in the national park face a tough time, working long hours tending to pregnant ewes and vulnerable new lambs.
Dogs have been known to attack newborn lambs and the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has launched a campaign to make dog walkers more aware of the danger.
Local farmer Bruce McConachie, who is a land management advisor at the CNPA, said: “Pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are extremely vulnerable and nervous at this time of year and should not be worried by dogs that have been allowed to run loose.
“The consequences can be devastating, from miscarriage to injuries as a direct result of chasing or attacks by dogs that are not in control.”
Last month police issued a warning to dog owners that their pet could be killed if it is found to be in the presence of sheep, even if it has not physically attacked them or chased them.
The warning is part of a campaign involving Police Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, National Farmers Union Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates and the Kennel Club, to raise awareness among dog owners about the devastating effects of livestock worrying.
David Clyne from the CNPA
Bruce McConachie
said: “While we all think our dogs would not wish any harm on another creature, at lambing time we may not be fully aware of our dogs’ reaction to a fluffy white thing jumping around a lambing park.
“That is why it is best to have your dog on a short lead at all times, Lambing season can be a stressful time for farmers especially near farmland.
“Never let your dog off a lead where there could be pregnant ewes or newborn lambs. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they are not round the next corner.
“Please continue to enjoy your daily dog walks just to do so with the utmost care.”
Rural crime coordinator Inspector Jane Donaldson said: “We urge dog owners to remember that it is every dog’s instinct to chase and that simply chasing a sheep or a lamb in a field will cause it significant distress.
“Dog owners should also be aware that a farmer has the right to kill or injure any dog worrying their livestock and no one wants to see sheep or someone’s family pet being killed or injured.”