Dog owners are urged to keep pets under control
DOG owners are being urged to ensure their pets are under control when near livestock, following a spate of attacks.
Commenting on the issue of livestock worrying during the spring lambing season, Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: ‘Livestock worrying is a serious issue affecting the welfare of farm animals and the livelihood of farmers.
‘Dog owners who walk or keep dogs in and around farmland should act responsibly at all times when exercising their animals in the countryside and always be mindful that there may be grazing livestock nearby.
‘This is particularly important at this time of year when spring lambing season is under way.
‘The Scottish Government commends the efforts of Police Scotland to tackle this issue, and the ongoing commitment from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to take a robust approach to prosecuting offences.
‘I would encourage farmers to continue to report all incidents to the police and that the wider public remain mindful of this issue when visiting the countryside.’
Sheep farmers have been encouraged to take cover against the potential financial losses incurred by sheep worrying after the latest spate of distressing attacks, including in Argyll.
Graphic images and noticeable increase in reports of sheep worrying over recent weeks bring to the fore the constant challenge farmers face in educating the public of the potential impacts their actions can have on livestock.
‘While dog attacks on livestock are no new thing, police are now reporting a sharp rise in incidents across the country,’ said Charlotte Wilson of agricultural insurance broker Farmers and Mercantile. ‘We have certainly seen an escalation in the number of claims.’
Social media is proving an effective tool to educate dog owners on the importance of keeping dogs under control around livestock, focusing not only on the devastation that can be caused for the farmer, but also to the dog owner if the animal is shot, or later put down.
‘While the first step should always be to educate the public, other steps do need to be taken to protect farmers from what now, unfortunately seems almost like the inevitable,’ said Ms Wilson.
With the increasing number of houses being built in rural areas, and farm diversifications into camp sites, the chances of an attack have increased, she added.
With the unfortunate likelihood that the culprits will not be caught and brought to justice, livestock farmers are being urged to make sure their insurance protects them.