An angry and concerned farmer in Perthshire is watching anxiously to see if her sheep will lose their lambs after they were chased by an out of control dog.
Sheep farmer Grace Reid (28) has been left horrified after the owner of the dog - which got into her field and raced after a flock of 93 pregnant ewes biting one on the neck - then fled the scene.
The sheep worrying incident happened at Woodside Farm on Thursday, March 16 at 1.30pm in a field beside the popular Johnny Mathie’s Path circuit at Auchterarder.
A neighbour filmed a brown dog yelping in excitement as it ran through the flock as the stressed sheep scattered.
The witness - another farmer - yelled at the dog to make it leave the sheep alone and prevented the chase continuing.
The dog was slow to be deterred and was eventually caught by its owner - a man who had been riding past on a bike as his dog ran free.
It is a criminal offence to allow a dog to worry sheep. Dog owners under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 can be fined up to £40,000 or face a 12 month imprisonment in Scotland.
Grace said: “I am really disappointed that this owner chose to make off at speed rather than be confronted by my neighbour who witnessed what is a crime,” said Ms Reid, who farms the land in partnership with boyfriend Bertie Kennard (31).
“The dog didn’t get to kill any sheep but it pulled wool from around the neck of at least one. We were very fortunate someone intervened.
“The ewes are very vulnerable to stress and quite often can die from shock after this kind of incident.”
Coincidently Ms Reid works as the Scottish regional coordinator for the National Sheep Association (NSA), which works hard at raising the profile of sheep worrying by dogs in terms of awareness and also providing guidance to affected farmers. She is more aware than most of what the fallout of such an incident can be.
Ms Reid said: “NSA Scotland urges members of the public to be aware of the potential devastation that can be caused to farmers and their livestock by worrying and attacks from dogs, at a time that traditionally sees a peak of cases reported.
“Despite many occurrences across the country, our members are still reporting incidents throughout the year.
“Sheep worrying by dogs occurs when a dog in some way distresses a sheep or a whole flock of sheep.
“As a prey animal, even the mere presence of an unknown dog can be stressful for a sheep - and one which is running freely, off lead, perhaps barking and then more seriously chasing and attacking can cause significant harm and even death.
“It is every dog’s instinct to chase, even if they are usually obedient and good with other animals.
“Chasing by dogs can do serious damage to sheep, even if the dog doesn’t catch them. Sheep fleeing from dogs are often killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape, causing untold damage to fences and field boundaries in the process.
“Dog bites can cause death in sheep or necessitate them being euthanised at a later date, or in less severe cases considerable veterinary bills and additional welfare issues.
“The consequences can be felt even more keenly at this time of year with heavily pregnant ewes and newborn lambs filling the spring fields at risk of miscarriage, mis-mothering and in some cases death due to stress.
“Sheep play a vital role in creating, maintaining and shaping the iconic landscapes that Scotland boasts and without our national flock, Scotland would look very different indeed.
“Our sheep farmers across the country work tirelessly to ensure animals are kept in the best possible conditions yet we have a minority of the population who simply will not take responsibility for their or their dog’s actions.”
Speaking personally about her flock, Ms Reid added: “Our ewes could abort or have their lambs early. Even if they go full term, they might not keep their condition and fail to produce adequate milk.
“As well as the effect on the sheep, there is the mental health of the farmer to consider too.
“We are new farm tenants, this is our second season and it is critical financially that the lambing goes well for us.
“The man - who is in his 30s - was filmed last Thursday disappearing from the scene on a bike immediately after the dog was separated from the sheep.
“He knows what happened and that he is responsible, it’s clearly set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. A dog off a lead will follow its instincts, it is not ‘under control’ if it is off the leash.
“The police have been made aware of this incident.
“If you are the person involved, you will be identified, please do the responsible thing and get in touch with myself as this matter will be taken further.
“It is simply unacceptable to let your dog chase after in-lamb ewes and run off from your responsibilities.”
Ms Reid issued a strong warning to other dog owners and added: “Can all dog owners using the Johnny Mathie’s Path circuit at Auchterarder please keep control of their dogs as the consequences are very real when incidents occur.”
A spokesperson for the National Farmers Union of Scotland said:“The protection of livestock is paramount for our members, and we urge them to continue to report any livestock worrying incident to Police Scotland so appropriate action, under the powers of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021, can be taken.
“Dog owners need to abide by the Scottish Outdoor Access code and respect that farmland is a work environment.
“We support the ‘Your Dog – Your Responsibility’ campaign that was launched early last year."
For more information see the NSA website www.sheepworrying.org.uk
