Dog owners in Perth and Kinross have been warned that they could face prosecution or even lose their dogs if they do not abide by sheep worrying rules as the local lambing season begins next month.
Local area commander chief inspector Graham Binnie also spoke out to “remind dog walkers of their responsibilities” and to keep pets on a lead when they are near sheep.
Dog owners have a duty to ensure their pets are under control according to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, especially when there are pregnant ewes and young lambs in the fields.
Worrying is defined as attacking livestock, chasing livestock in such a way that it may be reasonable to expect the dog to cause injury or suffering to livestock as well as abortion in female animals, and being at large (not under close control or on a lead) in a field or enclosure where there are sheep.
Chasing by dogs can do serious damage to livestock, even if the dog doesn’t catch them.
The stress of worrying by dogs can cause animals to die and pregnant stock to miscarry.
In some circumstances farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they are endangering their sheep.
CI Binnie said: “If your pets chase or worry sheep, you are likely to get prosecuted and you could lose your dog.
“Livestock fleeing from dogs are often killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape, often causing significant collateral damage to fences and field boundaries in the process.
“Therefore it is vital that you keep your dog on the lead around livestock.
“In the last few years there have been a number of prosecutions across Perth and Kinross under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 and several dogs have been destroyed; please make sure it’s not your dog.
“If anyone witnesses an incident of livestock worrying they should contact Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
Last year new legislation was introduced to safeguard livestock from dog attacks.
SPARC, the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, brought in the Livestock Attack and Distress campaign with the slogan: ‘Your Dog – Your Responsibility’ to educate dog owners about the new legislation.
The updated law protects animals through a range of measures including updating the livestock definition, fines up to £40,000 and prison sentences for owners who let their pets worry, kill or injure farmed animals.
Under the legislation, camelids such as llamas and alpacas, together with ostriches, game birds and farmed deer are protected.
