Scottish Government urged to do more on sheep-worrying

rural: MSP Liz Smith concerned that incidents are at seven-year high

A Perthshire MSP has called for the Scottish Government to do more to tackle attacks on sheep.

Liz Smith, one of the representatives for Mid Scotland and Fife, said such incidents are at a seven-year high across Scotland, and that Tayside has seen 40 reported incidents since 2010, with 26 of these coming in the past two years.

She highlighted a savage attack on a flock of sheep in Muthill last month.

Her comments follow revelations that police in Perth and Kinross have received intelligence that criminal gangs involved in hare coursing could also be behind many of the recent spate of sheep worrying attacks in the area.

The politician has now raised her concerns with Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing.

Ms Smith said: “I was pleased to hear that the Scottish Government is taking the danger posed by livestock-worrying seriously.

“Figures have shown that the number of reported instances is at a seven-year high.

“In Tayside there has been a huge increase in the number of reported instances, with 26 recorded in the last two years, not including those that go unreported.

“Dog owners must be aware of their responsibilities while out in the countryside, and not just during lambing season.

“Pet owners should keep their animal on a lead while in fields with pregnant ewes or young lambs and farmers must contact the police and document evidence if they experience livestock worrying.”

Mr Ewing said: “My attention has been drawn to that episode in Muthill, which is absolutely devastating – for not only the financial but the emotional consequences for any farmer who sees his livestock suffer in that way. “It really is appalling. “It must be said that the primary responsibility must lie with the dog owner to keep his or her dog under proper control.

“Indeed, there is legislation that criminalises the owner of a dog that attacks livestock, chases it, or is at large, but not under close control, in a field.

“That legislation is in place, but of course it relies on evidence in order for there to be prosecutions.

“That is why, in 2015, the former solicitor general conducted a review to ensure that the matter was taken absolutely seriously – which it is.”

Pet owners should keep their animal on a lead while in fields with pregnant ewesor young lambs. LIZ SMITH

The number of livestock-worrying incidences across Scotland has hit a seven-year high following a sharp rise in the number of reported attacks.

Revealing shocking figures, obtained via a Freedom of Information request, NFU Scotland has issued an open warning to members of the public that all dogs must be kept on a lead when walking in the countryside.

According to the union, a total of 179 attacks of dogs on livestock were reported throughout last year resulting in either the injury or death of farm animals.

That figure is up by more than 34% on the previous year.

The Highlands and Islands and Lothians and Borders saw the greatest number of livestock-worrying incidents, suffering 36 and 27 respectively, with Aberdeenshire and Moray in third with 22.

As farmers and crofters enter a busy time of year for lambing and calving, the losses that are caused by livestock worrying can be highly distressing, the NFUS said .

Ayrshire farmer Jimmy Ireland, of Feoch Farm, has had an ongoing issue with dogs worrying sheep on his farm.

“Sheep-worrying continues to be a burden on us, and it is not just the financial losses we suffer, but the stress it can cause for sheep, and the time we have to take away from the day-to-day running of our business to deal with such cases,” Mr Ireland said.

“Those responsible just don’t realise the damage their dogs can do by being amongst livestock.”

Although Mr Ireland conceded the majority of dog-walkers in the area behave in a responsible manner the consequences of the actions of just 1% acting carelessly can devastate farm businesses.

NFUS vice-president Gary Mitchell said: “Sheep are particularly at risk during the spring lambing period and we need dog owners to take action to prevent livestock worrying otherwise, if their dog is found worrying livestock they could face prosecution, as we have seen with some cases that have gone to court recently.

“The farmer is also within their legal rights to shoot a dog if it is found to be worrying livestock – not a decision that is taken lightly.”

Picture: Kim Cessford. Farmer Robert Paterson was left counting the cost of a sheep-worrying incident at his farm near Muthill in January. One sheep was killed and several were badly hurt.