Campaign aims to cut livestock attacks by dogs

With sheep being brought in-bye for tupping, a month-long campaign aimed at hammering home to dog owners the devastating effects of livestock worrying has been launched by the police and countryside organisations.

With a rise in sheep attacks by dogs often recorded during November, Inspector Jane Donaldson, Police Scotland rural crime co-ordinator, made it plain that the force was set to take a tough line with offenders.

She said: “Police Scotland will robustly enforce the existing legislation, ensuring all reported cases of livestock being attacked by dogs are thoroughly investigated and offenders reported to the procurator-fiscal.”

She said that dog owners should ensure their animals were under control at all times – and should avoid going into fields where livestock is grazing.

She said: “The worrying of sheep and other livestock by dogs not only has an obvious financial and emotional impact on farmers when their animals are killed or injured, but also has an effect on the animals themselves, their productivity and welfare.

“We are encouraging farmers and landowners to engage with dog walkers and to help keep them informed by putting up signs on gateways and on key roads and paths alerting them to the presence of sheep and other livestock in their fields and suggesting alternative routes.”

The Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime – a multi-agency partnership which includes Police Scotland, National Farmers Union of Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates – has come together with Scottish Natural Heritage, the Kennel Club and the National Sheep Association (Scotland) to heighten awareness of the responsibilities of dog owners taking their animals out in the countryside.

Gemma Cooper, NFUS policy manager, said: “Livestock worrying in any form is unacceptable, and we cannot shy away from the fact that there have been a number of unfortunate instances where dogs caught in the process of worrying livestock have been shot by farmers.

“The public must ensure that dogs in the countryside are kept on a lead, or under close control.

“NFUS is also aware of a number of recent cases where sanctions handed to irresponsible dog owners have been increasingly hefty and this is something NFUS will continue to press for.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said the main cause of sheep worrying was often local people repeatedly allowing their dogs to stray. She said: “Such irresponsible ownership needlessly puts dogs’ lives at risk, as well as farm animals and wildlife. We encourage the responsible majority of dog owners to report strays.”

bhenderson@farming.co.uk