Dogs causing chaos at beauty spot as lambing season approaches

Appeal for dogs and their owners to be ‘better behaved’

Dogs are causing chaos at one of Perthshire’s top walking and beauty spots as lambing season approaches.

Moncreiffe Hill Wood, just outside Perth, has been blighted by problems in recent weeks.

Woodland Trust Scotland has been forced to appeal for “better behaved dogs and dog owners”.

Its campaign comes at a hugely sensitive time for the area around the wood, where many farmers are currently preparing for lambing.

“Problems seem to be increasing, so we think it is time to steer dog owners back to better habits,” said trust spokesman George Anderson.

“This is a critical time in the farming year and it is essential that sheep and cattle are not disturbed.

“There have been reports lately of gates left open and dogs running into fields.

“We also hear of dogs generally running loose and jumping up on other walkers.

“This is not acceptable.”

He added: “There are of course many people doing the right thing already and we hope they will be pleased to see good conduct given encouragement.

“It is a fantastic wood and it would be a great pity if ongoing problems stopped the public enjoying it to the full.”

The trust’s pleas come as Scotland’s farming communities are playing their own part in appealing for dogs owners to take extra care.

Livestock worrying has emerged as one of the fastest spreading rural crimes.

In yesterday’s Courier, Fife farmer Colin Black recalled the moment a dog attacked his flock of sheep on the Balbirnie Estate at East Lomond.

One pregnant ewe had to be destroyed.

The issue has been raised in the Scottish Parliament on multiple occasions, and with lambing season just around the corner partners have come together to raise awareness of the issue and urge owners to keep animals on the leash when near livestock.

They include Police Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, the National Farmers Union Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, the Kennel Club and the National Sheep Association.

Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Liz Smith has backed the campaign, saying: “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.

“Combatting this crime relies on the public having greater awareness of not only the serious consequences of livestock worrying but of their own responsibilities when out and about in the countryside.”

Problems seem to be increasing, so we think it is time to steer dog owners back to better habits. GEORGE ANDERSON WOODLAND TRUST SCOTLAND

Picture: Kim Cessford. With lambing season approaching, rural groups are reminding dog owners to control their pets.