Free signs to encourage dog owners to show more responsibility in the countryside

Scotland’s farmers are being offered free signs encouraging dog owners to be more responsible when walking their pets in the countryside.

A clear message that there are no irresponsible dogs, only irresponsible dog owners is conveyed by the signs, which are being made available to all NFU Scotland members and NFU Mutual customers.

Union leaders hope the preventative measures could go some way to reducing incidences of livestock worrying that cost Scotland’s farmers and crofters heartbreak and financial loss each year.

The body has also held several events around the country during 2017, in conjunction with local councils and Police Scotland, speaking to dog owners and professional dog walkers to educate them about their responsibilities and the damage that can be done if their dogs run out of control.

“Last year saw the highest number of instances of livestock worrying in Scotland from over the last seven years, and we need dog owners to take heed of our warnings, to keep dogs on a lead and under close control, avoiding fields with livestock where possible and taking an alternative route,” said NFU Scotland’s head of member services Kerry Clark.

“There are no irresponsible dogs, only irresponsible dog owners and we need those who are acting irresponsibly to change their ways.”

NFU Mutual’s regional manager for Scotland, Martin Malone, said: “The majority of dog owners act responsibly and ensure that their dogs are always kept under control and on a lead when near livestock, but a small minority either don’t know their responsibilities, or simply do not care that their pet can inflict the most terrible injuries on livestock, which can often result in death.”