Dog owners are warned over pets worrying livestock on country walks

Police have this week launched a campaign aimed at reducing instances of livestock worrying.

With the spring lambing period on the horizon – the time of year when sheep are at greatest risk – officers are keen to raise awareness of the issue.

A dog attacking, chasing or simply being at large in a field where sheep are kept can have catastrophic consequences for farmers and their animals. Such instances can lead to significant injury – with the sheep often being killed or destroyed.

This has a financial and emotional impact on the farmer while causing immense and avoidable suffering to the animals.

Callander-based inspector Gerry McMenemy is advising dog owners walking in the countryside to ensure their pets are kept under control at all times, and are not going into fields where livestock are kept.

He said: “The worrying of livestock can have devastating consequences for farm animals and has an obvious financial and emotional impact of farmers and their business.

“The vast majority of livestock worrying incidents involve sheep and can occur when a dog attacks, chases or is at large – not on a lead or under close control. The devastating impact of a dog attack are evident and cannot be overstated, but significant damage can also be caused by a dog simply being present in a field. Pregnant ewes can abort their lambs or lambs can be separated from their mothers, causing distress and in some cases malnutrition.”

Inspector McMenemy added: “Our advice to dog owners who live in rural areas, or anyone walking or exercising their dogs in the countryside, is to ensure they are under control at all times and avoid going into fields where livestock is grazing.

“The Scottish Outdoor Access Code says that dogs shouldn’t be taken into fields where there are lambs or other young farm animals.

“I’d urge farmers and anyone else using the countryside to report all incidents of livestock worrying to police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”

If a dog worries livestock on agricultural land then the owner, or person in charge, is guilty of a criminal offence.

Livestock worrying is defined as attacking or chasing livestock, or being at large in a field or enclosure where there are sheep.