Plea to keep pets on leads in rural Strath

Local farmers have spoken of the distress caused by attacks on sheep as lambing begins and the annual appeal to dog walkers to keep their pets under control gets under way.

Reports of livestock worrying to Police Scotland fell last year but horrific incidents continued to cause suffering to livestock and anxiety for farmers.

New research from insurance society NFU Mutual revealed that 64 per cent of dog owners are letting their pets roam free in the countryside, despite half of owners surveyed admitting their dog doesn’t always come back when called.

The research also found that 42 per cent of dog owners have been walking their pets more often in the countryside during the pandemic.

And 81 per cent of survey respondents have noticed more people exercising their pets in rural areas.

The fall in reported incidents of livestock worrying has been welcomed but a spate of attacks in 2021 has sparked warnings to those visiting the countryside to keep their pets under control.

Debs Roberts, who farms at Auchterarder, is co-founder of the Ladies Who Lamb network - a closed Facebook group which provides support to women who keep sheep throughout the UK.

She has seen at first hand the devastating effects of dog attacks on sheep.

Debs explained: “Dog attacks cause deep anguish to our members.

“It feels like crisis point at the moment, with daily reports of terribly upsetting incidents where dogs chase and sometimes attack sheep close to lambing.

“The distress and frustration is something that doesn’t go away, even flashbacks of the horrific injuries and deaths are very traumatic.

“It’s important that dog owners realise that all breeds, not just the big, fiercelooking ones, are capable of chasing and attacking sheep.”

And Debs warned: “Even if a dog doesn’t make physical contact, the distress and exhaustion of the chase can cause sheep to die or miscarry their lambs.”

Debs is appealing to owners to be considerate while around livestock.

She continued: “We really want to send a plea to dog owners in the countryside that they keep dogs on leads for the next few months.

“Please follow signs, as they are there to protect you and your dog, and to make your walk safe for all.”

Last year’s campaign to tackle livestock attacks by dogs resulted in the number of attacks reported to Police Scotland decreasing by 13 per cent.

Mark McBrearty, regional manager for Scotland at NFU Mutual, said: “We are encouraged by the decrease in Scotland last year and it is a testament to the proactive work which has been led by police and farming groups.

“However, horrific incidents continue to cause unbearable suffering to farm animals as well as huge anxiety for farmers and their families as they deal with the aftermath.

“With more people walking in the countryside as Covid restrictions continue and an increase in dog ownership, we have seen many more brutal attacks resulting in large numbers of sheep being killed and a trail of horrific injuries.

“It’s a critical time in the farming calendar and there is widespread concern as we enter the peak lambing season, that there will be a surge in new visitors who are simply unaware of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code or how their dog will behave around farm animals.

“We want people to enjoy the countryside as it’s so important for people’s wellbeing.

“It’s vital that dog owners act responsibly and keep dogs on a lead and under control whenever there is a possibility livestock are nearby.”

Police Inspector Alan Dron, National Rural Crime Coordinator, said: “Through consistently raising awareness of this emotive offence, Police Scotland takes any report of livestock attacks or worrying seriously.

“This has resulted in more dog attacks being reported and investigated plus where applicable, owners brought before the courts.

“Unfortunately too many instances of dogs attacking or worrying livestock still occur and whilst we want everyone to enjoy our countryside, it is important that dog owners or those in charge exercise greater caution when accessing rural areas, particularly if livestock are present.”

See www.nfumutual.co.uk for further advice on dog control.