Man is charged after A9 livestock reports

A 71-year-old man will be reported in connection with allegedly failing to manage livestock which locals claim had been “running loose” on the A9 Inverness to Thurso road in Sutherland.

Following numerous complaints from members of the public, police went to the scene at a farm near Dornoch on Tuesday, along with agencies including Bear Scotland, the Animal and Health Plant Agency and the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division.

A man has been charged and will be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal in due course, said police.

“Livestock running loose on a main route presents a real safety risk”

PC Martin Macrae of the road policing unit in Dingwall said: “We are committed to keeping people safe on the country’s roads.

“The presence of livestock running loose on a main route presents a real road safety risk to drivers and our more vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists, where the consequences could be devastating.”

Vivienne Mackinnon, the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s veterinary lead for north Scotland, added: “Anyone who keeps livestock has a duty to protect the welfare of the animals in their care, including from potential injuries caused by road traffic accidents.”

Eddie Ross, Bear Scotland’s north-west representative, said: “Trunk road safety is of paramount importance and we’re supporting police and other key stakeholders to help address the issue of livestock reaching the A9.”