Fresh warning to dog owners
After a fall in reported incidents of livestock worrying to Police Scotland last year, a spate of attacks in 2021 – including one on sheep on Davaar Island on Monday – has sparked fresh warnings to those visiting the countryside to keep their pets under control.
A new survey of dog owners commissioned by NFU Mutual reveals 64 per cent of dog owners allow their pets to roam free in the countryside, despite half of owners surveyed admitting their dog doesn’t always come back when called.
The research revealed that 42 per cent of dog owners have been walking their pets more often in the countryside during the pandemic and that 81 per cent of survey respondents have noticed more people exercising their pets in rural areas. In Scotland, a joint campaign to tackle livestock attacks by dogs has resulted in the number of attacks reported to Police Scotland decreasing by 13 per cent in 2020.
Mark McBrearty, regional manager for Scotland at NFU Mutual, said: ‘We are encouraged by the decrease in Scotland last year and it is a testament to the proactive work which has been led by police and farming groups.
‘However, horrific incidents continue to cause unbearable suffering to farm animals as well as huge anxiety for farmers and their families.
‘With more people walking in the countryside as Covid restrictions continue and an increase in dog ownership, we have seen many more brutal attacks resulting in large numbers of sheep being killed and a trail of horrific injuries.
‘It’s a critical time in the farming calendar and there is widespread concern as we enter the peak lambing season that there will be a surge in new visitors who are unaware of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code or how their dog will behave around farm animals.
‘It’s vital dog owners act responsibly and keep dogs on a lead and under control whenever there is a possibility livestock are nearby.’
Police Inspector Alan Dron, National Rural Crime co-ordinator, said: ‘Through consistently raising awareness of this emotive offence, Police Scotland takes any report of livestock attacks or worrying seriously.
‘This has resulted in more dog attacks being reported and investigated plus, where applicable, owners brought before the courts.’