A Scots farmer was left horrified after finding her pet lamb's ear ripped off in a suspected dog attack.
The crofter found three-month-old lamb Lenny in his field, with his ear brutally ripped off at her farm in Killin, Perthshire, at 9am on Sunday morning. The frightened lamb's ear was found on the opposite side of the fence.
Pictures of the aftermath show blood pouring from the animal's head where his ear was torn from his body. His owner suspects he was savaged by a dog after sticking his head out through the fence.
The farmer, who wished not to be named, told the Record her livestock have been attacked by out of control dogs in the past. In one case, she witnessed a dog 'run riot' in her field before it hunted down a sheep and mauled it to death.
In another, she saw an unleashed dog chase one sheep into a nearby river where it sadly drowned.
She said: "I was heartbroken for him to be in that much pain. Lenny is such a friendly little Lamb. He will come up and say hello to people and likes to be petted. I believe this was a dog attack.
"We've had incidents before where a dog has been let loose in a field full of sheep. There have been deaths - and some of our sheep have been badly mauled in the past.
"Once a dog gets a taste for it, there's nothing that can make them stop."
Lenny was treated with antibiotics and painkillers but his owner fears he could lose his life if his wound becomes infected.
She has issued a warning to dog owners to keep their pets on a lead and away from livestock after the incident.
She added: "It comes down to natural instinct and it can happen to any dog. You could have a family dog that is amazing with children but as soon as it is introduced to livestock it will turn feral.
"It could also happen to a dog that takes the same walking route every day and a switch inside their head and they're locked on. It can be the nicest dog ever and that is the sad thing.
"In the past, people have visited from the city and left their dog off the leash. It's not until it is chasing our stock that they realise they have this instinct."
Under new law brought into force in Scotland in November 2021, owners of dogs that worry livestock can face being fined up to £40,000 or sent to jail for 12 months.
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent, Mike Flynn, said: "Sadly, lambs or sheep caught by a dog often have to be put to sleep due to their injuries. During lambing season, the stress caused by a sheep being chased can lead to them miscarrying or even death.
“It’s not just sheep that owners should be aware of. Cows can see dogs as a threat to their herd or any young they may have. Cows are very powerful and become very protective so they can turn on dogs that find themselves in their field.
"It can also be devastating for the farmer responsible for the sheep, emotionally and financially. Farmers are also legally allowed to shoot a dog if they are seen to be out of control and worrying their animals so please always keep your dog away from all farm animals and on a lead at all times.”
Police Scotland were not called to the scene.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
