The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rural crime conviction rates ‘shockingly low’
Conservative MSP blasts latest figures
Only 19 people across Scotland were convicted of livestock worrying offences last year, despite 175 cases being reported to police.
The figures were revealed during parliamentary questions to local MSP Liz Smith who is campaigning for greater livestock protection following a spate of incidents across Perth and Kinross.
For 12 months between 2016-17, there were 14 reported instances of livestock worrying in the region. However, no one has been prosecuted or convicted.
The number of local cases has doubled in the last year from seven. There were only three the year before that.
Last month, a farmer in the Forteviot area shot a dog that he believed was worrying his flock. In May last year, The Courier reported that one farmer suffered two dog attacks in 36 hours.
Ms Smith, Conservative MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, is pushing for tougher penalties and a widespread public awareness campaign to alert dog walkers to their responsibilities.
She said: “The shockingly low conviction rate underlines the concerns of farmers who feel that dog walkers have carte blanche to do what they want in the countryside.
“There have bee a number of shocking incidents in Perth and Kinross, where livestock have been killed as a result of dog attacks and tougher penalties are needed to prevent this type of crime.”
She said: “Ultimately, the police need to take the concerns of farmers seriously and the authorities must put in place robust rural crime strategies to cut down on livestock crime.
“Every dog has a natural instinct to run and chase down sheep and even if livestock exhibits no physical injuries the stress caused by this can cause pregnant ewes to abort their lambs.
“Even the simple presence of dogs in fields alongside livestock can have serious implications.”
Ms Smith added: “In addition to tougher penalties, combatting this crime will require the public awareness of not only the serious consequences of livestock worrying, but of their own responsibilities when out and about in the countryside.”
Rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing has pleaded with members of the public to “act responsibly” while walking their dogs through the countryside.
His appeal comes as spring lambing season begins on farms across Scotland.
George Lawrie, a former farmer who negotiates access for new footpaths in Kinross-shire, has also called for changes to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code which would make it compulsory for dogs to be on leads anywhere near livestock, people or bikes.
In an open letter to Mr Ewing and Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham, Mr Lawrie appeals for an immediate review of the code, to prevent more damage to stock.