Sharp rise in livestock worrying

The number of livestock worrying incidents reported to Police Scotland increased by more than 50% in the spring.

Figures reveal that between February and May a total of 81 incidents were investigated – 28 more than the same period last year – and 55 people were reported to the procurator fiscal.

The police said although farmers were now more willing to report incidents, a large number were being under-reported.

It said incidents involving sheep were the most prevalent with most resulting in injury and/or death to the livestock, and in many incidents the dogs responsible were alone with no owner present. More than half the reported incidents involved a dog that was local to that area.

Chief Superintendent John Mckenzie, who chairs the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), said SPARC is planning a 2019 campaign which will run from January to May and again have awareness raising, education and prevention as key messages.

NFU Scotland’s legal and technical policy manager, Gemma Cooper, said: “Despite a vast amount of awareness raising, livestock worrying remains a blight on Scottish livestock farming. NFU Scotland urges the public to ensure that when taking access to fields with livestock they ensure that dogs are under proper control.

“We believe it remains a hugely under-reported issue and we would encourage farmers to report livestock worrying incidents to police as soon as is practical after it has taken place.”