Initiative toprotect livestock

A campaign to guard Monklands’ livestock has been launched following new legislation which protects animals from dog attacks.

SPARC, the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, is launching the Livestock Attack and Distress campaign with the slogan “Your Dog – Your Responsibility” to educate dog owners about the new legislation.

The legislation will protect animals through a range of measures including updating the livestock definition, fines of up to £40,000 and prison sentences for owners who let their pets worry, kill or injure farmed animals.

The campaign is a joint partnership between Police Scotland, NFU Scotland and other rural organisations.

Under the new legislation, camelids such as llamas and alpacas, together with ostriches, game birds and farmed deer, are now protected.

The campaign will run through the lambing season, when sheep and lambs are most vulnerable to attacks, and then again during the autumn.