Scots predict seasonal increase in sheep worrying

Police Scotland has launched a month-long campaign to raise awareness among dog owners about the devastating effects of livestock worrying.

It coincides with an expected rise in livestock attacks by dogs during November, a time when sheep are brought down to low lying pasture so are more exposed to people exercising their dogs.

It also follows a three-month campaign during this year’s lambing season, which saw reports of livestock worrying increase by 55% in Scotland.

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“During that campaign we discovered that, in nearly three-quarters of cases, the offending dog was local to that area,” said Police Scotland rural crime co-ordinator Jane Donaldson.

“More than half of all incidents involved a dog roaming free, where no owner or responsible person was present.”

Farmers are also being urged to help educate the public, by engaging with dog walkers.

They are also encouraged to put up signs on gateways, roads and paths alerting them to the presence of sheep and other livestock in their fields.

Heavy cost

NFU Scotland has welcomed the initiative. “Instances of dog worrying are never acceptable,” said policy manager Gemma Cooper.

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“They cause our farmers personal heartache, and often substantial and ongoing financial loss. 

“It is disappointing that instances are still high in number. We would urge farmers affected by this issue to ensure that they report this via 101.”

NFU Scotland is also asking local authorities to use dog control notices more frequently.

These written notices can be served on owners who do not keep their dogs under proper control.

They can require the owners to keep their animals on a lead, or muzzled in a public place.

“This option can be very effective, but is quite underused as a method of dealing with this problem,” said Ms Cooper.