Harsher punishments for offences are welcomed

Plans to introduce fines of up to £5,000 or six months’ imprisonment for people who fail to stop their dogs attacking livestock have been welcomed by the farming community.

The proposals are contained in a member’s bill in the Scottish Parliament by south of Scotland MSP Emma Harper.

The bill, which is waiting to enter stage one at Holyrood, would extend the livestock worrying offence to cover additional types of farmed animal, and widen the definition of worrying to include chase, attack and kill.

It would increase the maximum penalty for livestock worrying to a fine of £5,000 or imprisonment for six months, and allow courts to ban a convicted person from owning a dog or allowing their dog to go on agricultural land.

It would also give police greater powers to enforce livestock worrying offences, including being able to go on to land to identify a dog, seize it and collect evidence from it.

“As well as the legalities of the Bill, I want it to be the catalyst for educating the public about the importance of having their dog under control when near livestock and for people to understand the severity of livestock being chased, attacked and killed,” said Ms Harper.

“The consequences of the offence can be both emotionally and financially detrimental to farmers.”

NFUS president Andrew McCornick encouraged politicians to back the bill and said: “Current penalty levels and associated legislation have not presented enough of a deterrent to prevent reckless dog owners from allowing their dogs to carry out livestock attacks.”