New livestock safety campaign

A nationwide campaign seeking to protect livestock has been launched following the implementation of new legislation designed to help safeguard animals from dog attacks.

The Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) is spearheading the Livestock Attack and Distress campaign.

It has the slogan ‘ Your Dog – Your Responsibility’ and has been started to educate dog owners about the new legislation.

The new 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 new laws also include provisions to fine the owners of dogs that attack livestock up to £40,000 or even send them to prison.

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

Mark McBrearty from NFU Mutual said: “Dog attacks are causing appalling suffering to animals and huge anxiety.

“The new legislation is a huge step forward as it means farmers and police are able to trace offending dogs’ owners and impose serious penalties.

“We’re supporting the ‘ Your Dog - Your Responsibility’ campaign to spread the message about the new law and encourage irresponsible dog owners to control their pets.

“We want people to enjoy the countryside as it’s so important for people’s wellbeing.

“It’s vital that dog owners act responsibly and keep dogs under control whenever there is a possibility that livestock are nearby.”