Dog owner charged following fatal attack on sheep at Dunkeld

Police warning to keep pets on a lead around livestock

A 49-year-old woman has been charged after a dog killed a sheep in rural Perthshire.

Police Scotland said the woman was charged with sheep worrying following an incident at Rumbling Bridge, near Dunkeld, on Friday, February 16.

A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

Officers in Tayside have issued a fresh plea to dog owners, urging them to keep their pets under control while walking in the countryside.

A force spokeswoman said: “The vast majority of livestock worrying incidents involve sheep and can occur when a dog attacks, chases or in the case of sheep, is at large – not on a lead or otherwise under close control – in a field where livestock is kept.

“The devastating effects of a dog attack are evident and cannot be overstated but significant damage can also be caused by a dog simply being present in a field.

“Pregnant ewes can abort their lambs or lambs can be separated from their mothers, causing distress and in some cases malnutrition.”

She added: “The advice to dog owners who live in rural areas or anyone walking and exercising their dogs in the countryside is to ensure they are under control at all times and avoid going into fields where livestock is grazing.”

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code says dogs shouldn’t be taken into fields where there are lambs or other young farm animals.

Livestock worrying has emerged as one of the fastest spreading rural crimes.

The issue has been raised in the Scottish Parliament on multiple occasions. Earlier this year, partners came together to raise awareness of the issue and urge owners to keep animals on the leash when near livestock.

They include Police Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, NFU Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, the Kennel Club and the National Sheep Association.

The number of livestock worrying incidents across Scotland has more than doubled in nine years, police figures show. Throughout 2016, 175 offences were recorded under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 – up from 81 in 2008.

Significant damage can be caused by a dog simply being present in a field. POLICE SCOTLAND

Picture: Angus Findlay. Dogs owners should avoid taking pets into a field where livestock is present.