Sharp rise in number of attacks on livestock
THE number of livestock attacks in Scotland increased in 2023 despite tough new legislation aimed at tackling the issue, new figures show.
Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), which represents many of the country’s land owners and managers, says 350 incidents of attacks on, or worrying of, livestock were recorded last year – a 20 per cent rise on the 290 incidents recorded in 2022.
The rural business organisation released the data as it renewed its appeal for dog walkers and owners to take care around livestock.
This is the third lambing period since tougher legislation for livestock attacks under the new
Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021, brought forward by SNP MSP Emma Harper, came into full force. The penalties for such offences are very serious, as dog owners could face up to a £40,000 fine or be sent to prison for up to a year – or both. The dog is also highly likely to be destroyed.
Simon Ovenden, SLE policy adviser on access and visitor management, said: “The increase in attacks on livestock by dogs is disturbing at a time when there have been increased awareness campaigns on this issue and penalties to deal with such incidents have never been tougher.
“A small proportion of this increase may be reflected by more incident reporting, but the statistics again clearly demonstrate that far too many people are behaving irresponsibly by failing to control their dogs and allowing them to attack or worry farmed animals, including camelids such as alpacas, and also game birds.
“Visitors, including dog owners and walkers, continue to be very
much welcomed by communities and businesses in rural Scotland as spring gets under way. This has, however, proven to be the period when the risk of livestock worrying and attacks is at its greatest and there can be no complacency on the part of dog owners as to the risks posed in our countryside.
“Dog owners and walkers should not take a dog, even if on a lead, into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young animals, as even mildly aggressive behaviour from a dog, such as pulling at its lead or barking, can severely stress a pregnant sheep, causing it to miscarry or die.
“Such law breaking is not the dog’s fault, but that of the owner, and declaring that a dog has never
acted in such a manner previously carries no weight when dealing with the aftermath of an attack.”
The SLE figures chime with the findings of research by the National Sheep Association (NSA), which says sheep worrying is the most frequently reported rural crime.
NSA Scotland chairman Peter Myles commented: “Until we see the courts making high level prosecutions, we are yet to reap the benefits of Emma Harper’s bill.”
Inspector Jordan Low, of Police Scotland, added: “We have several tools at our disposal to investigate instances of livestock worrying and attacks and we will utilise these to investigate instances of irresponsible dog ownership around livestock.”