Easter warning sounded for dog owners - keep your pets on a leash near livestock
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AS people prepare to flock to the countryside this Easter, dog owners are being warned to keep their pet on a lead wherever livestock may be nearby.
The warning rural insurer NFU Mutual comes despite promising signs that The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 is helping to prevent attacks, with the firm’s survey revealing 29 per cent of dog owners in Scotland are now aware they could be fined up to £40,000 if their pet attacks livestock, a significant rise in awareness from four per cent in early 2022.
Thirty-two percent of dog owners also understood they could be inprisoned for allowing their pet to attack farm animals, compared to 22 per cent this time last year.
Four in 10 dog owners surveyed felt Police Scotland were now taking dog attacks on livestock more seriously.
However, with lambing season under way, Scotland’s farmers and crofters remain concerned about out-of-control dogs chasing, attacking and fatally injuring vulnerable sheep and lambs this Easter.
Mark McBrearty, NFU Mutual Scotland Manager, said: “The Easter holidays see many people exploring Scotland’s beautiful countryside, but they must remember these idyllic rural destinations are key to farmers’ and crofters’ livelihoods and are home to thousands of sheep and new-born lambs.
“This year’s lambing season is underway across Scotland, so it is crucial all dog owners act responsibly by keeping their dog on a lead in areas where livestock are nearby, especially near vulnerable sheep and lambs.
“The Covid-19 pandemic saw many people owning dogs for the first time, but tragically this has been followed by a sharp increase in the cost of livestock attacks.
“It is hard for people to imagine their friendly family pet could chase, injure or kill another animal – but all dogs are capable of this, regardless of breed or size.
“Even dogs chasing sheep can have serious consequences. We’ve heard reports from farmers and crofters where sheep and lambs have drowned, suffocated, been run over or chased off cliff edges because of out-of-control dogs.
“Even if a dog does not make contact with a sheep, the distress and exhaustion from being chased can cause a pregnant ewe to miscarry or die. It can also separate young lambs from their mothers, which can lead them to become orphaned.
“If there is an attack, it is important people accept responsibility and report it, either to the police or a local farmer or crofter, so that the injured animals are not left suffering.”
Inspector Alan Dron, Police Scotland National Rural Crime Coordinator, added: “Dog attacks on livestock is an emotive issue that impacts rural communities throughout Scotland.
“A key element in raising awareness is to ensure dog owners understand the distressing as well as emotional and financial impacts such incidents can have, not just on crofters, farmers and livestock owners, but everyone having to deal with the aftermath.
“Despite numerous high-profile campaigns over many years, we are still seeing too many incidents of livestock attacks and worrying in our rural areas, often where dogs are being let off the leash or being left unattended and escaping from homes and gardens.
“We want people to enjoy the countryside as it’s an important aspect for people’s wellbeing however it’s vital that when doing so, those with a dog/dogs act responsibly and keep them under control whenever there is a possibility that livestock are nearby.”
With many dog owners planning to visit the Scottish countryside during coming weeks as the weather improves and at a time when sheep are at their most vulnerable, NFU Mutual is calling for them to:
- Keep dogs on a lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept but let go of the lead if chased by cattle.
- Be aware that even small dogs can cause the distress, injury and death of farm animals.
- Report attacks by dogs to the police or local farmers.
- Never let dogs loose unsupervised in gardens near livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and attack sheep grazing nearby.
