Call for action after series of sheep attacks

FARMING: Worst year for Perthshire livestock maulings

Farms across Perth and Kinross have suffered the worst year for sheep maulings in recent memory.

Owners have been left counting the cost of irresponsible dog owners after a flurry of recent attacks across the region.

Livestock has been seriously injured and killed over the past three months in a series of nasty attacks. Farmers at Blairgowrie, Auchterarder and in Highland Perthshire have all seen their animals hurt.

The maulings have come amidst a major national campaign to tackle the problem but the number of local incidents has left Police Scotland dismayed. Seven have been reported since October alone.

One of Tayside’s top police officers, Chief Inspector Maggie Pettigrew, has pleaded with dog owners to ensure their pets are under control, especially when they are near livestock.

Livestock attacks have become a “blight” on farming communities across Perthshire as Police Scotland investigates the greatest number of maulings in years.

In each case the injuries sustained indicate that the sheep were savaged by dangerously out-of-control dogs.

The scale of the current problem is illustrated by the fact the number of incidents reported in the past three months exceeds that from most of the past six years combined.

Tom Gray is a councillor for Strathallan and a local farmer who has experience of the kind of attacks taking place.

He said: “Sadly sheep worrying is a constant threat to flock owners, particularly those near housing estates.

“At this time of year heavily in-lamb ewes are particularly vulnerable and losses can be significant, incurring abortion of lambs simply through being chased by unaccustomed dogs.

“Unleashed dogs can innocently set off after small ground-borne wildlife, break into an open field in pursuit and suddenly disturb a flock of sheep which immediately present a more challenging unfamiliar quarry for the energetic dog.

“Crazed activity can easily follow. I have seen the results and they were not pretty.”

In 2010 and 2011 there was just one reported incident of sheep worrying across Perth and Kinross, Fife and Angus but that increased to 11 in 2015.

In the first six months of 2016 there were five attacks and while figures for the second half of the year are unavailable, there were at least seven further incidents reported in Perth and Kinross between October and December.

One attack at Milton of Machany near Auchterarder saw two sheep killed and others injured, while animals were also injured in a field near to Blairgowrie’s Woodlands Road.

Highland Councillor Mike Williamson said: “These attacks have become a blight on the community.

“There have been seven incidents reported to the police since October 2016 alone. Two of those have already been reported to the procurator fiscal.

“It is down to dog owners to be more responsible and be more aware of what their dog can do if taken off the lead.”

Picture: Steve MacDougall. At this time of year heavily in-lamb ewes are particularly vulnerable and losses can be significant.