An injured sheep was rescued from a river near an Ayrshire village after it was allegedly attacked by a dog yesterday.
The incident unfolded in Colmonell when members of the public were alerted to a sheep in distress.
A group of people were able to rescue the sheep from the water but it showed signs of injury near its mouth, where it was allegedly attacked.
Now the hunt is on to try to identify the dog and its owner.
A Police Scotland spokesperson warned dog owners that they are risking their pet’s life if they don’t keep them under control in the countryside.
They added: “If you’re in an area where livestock are nearby, always keep your dog in your sights and maintain control over them. If you can’t guarantee this, use a lead.
“It’s important to be aware that under certain circumstances, land owners can shoot your dog if it is attacking or causing distress to their animals.”
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force on November 5, 2021 to tackle the issue of out of controls dogs attacking and worrying livestock.
Under this new law, owners of dogs that attack or worry livestock can be fined up to £40,000 or even sent to prison for up to 12 months.
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