Attacks on farm animals by dogs cost £113k in 2019

Countryside: Figure down, but concerns remain

The cost of dog attacks on Scottish farm animals was more than £100,000 in 2019, despite a 30% decrease in the figure.

New statistics released by NFU Mutual revealed that farm animals worth £113,000 were attacked by dogs in Scotland last year.

Although this was a decrease of 30% from 2018, Scottish farmers and crofters are “blighted” by dog worry and believe there is “chronic underreporting” of the problem.

Co-ordinated campaigns such as Your Dog – Your Responsibility have helped change the attitudes of dog owners in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, but England had a 15% rise in cost.

Rebecca Davidson, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “As the main insurer of Scotland’s farmers we’re encouraged that dog attacks on farm animals in Scotland are starting to fall – but more needs to be done to put an end to livestock worrying.

“A significant number of dog owners still don’t realise that their muchloved pet is capable of attacking and killing large numbers of lambs and sheep.

“Even if a dog doesn’t make contact, the distress and exhaustion of the chase can cause sheep to die or miscarry their lambs.

“We are also alarmed that more than half of owners are leaving their dogs unsupervised outside their homes when they are out, particularly when one in six admits their dog has already escaped.”

NFUS chief executive Scott Walker said the figures were “encouraging” and they would continue to work on it.

But he added that there was no room for complacency and everybody must continue to be vigilant in addressing the issue.

Photograph by Kami Thomson VULNERABLE: Even if a dog does not make contact, sheep and lambs can die.