Call to protect sheep as more owners let dogs run free

WITH peak lambing season under way on Scotland’s farms and crofts, NFU Mutual is calling for dog owners to ensure their pets are under control at all times when livestock are nearby.

Newly-released NFU Mutual research has found almost three quarters of dog owners (73 per cent) now allow their pets to roam off-lead in the countryside – up from (64 per cent) a year ago. This is despite around half (49 per cent) saying their dog does not always come back when called.

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force in November 2021 to bring in tougher powers, following years of campaigning by police and farmers after sharp increases in attacks on farm animals by out-of-control dogs.

Research conducted by NFU Mutual found that only four per cent of Scottish dog owners knew they could now be fined up to £40,000 if their dog attacked livestock and 27 per cent of surveyed knew they could now even be sent to prison if their dog attacked livestock.

Rebecca Davidson, Rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “It’s hard for people to imagine that their affectionate, family pet could injure or kill another animal and it’s not only physical attacks that can harm livestock.

"Even if a small dog chases sheep and they don’t make contact, they can separate lambs from their mothers or the distress and exhaustion from the chase can cause a pregnant ewe to die or miscarry.

“There’s a new generation of dog owners whose pandemic puppies are coming of age and they simply don’t know how their dog is going to behave around livestock.”

Speaking about the new Bill, Inspector Alan Dron, Police Scotland National Rural Crime Co-ordinator, said: “Attacks on livestock by dogs is an emotive issue that impacts on rural communities throughout Scotland therefore Police Scotland welcomes this new legislation which can hopefully assist in preventing, reducing and tackling such instances.

“Its introduction is timely given the increase in dog ownership experienced during COVID and the aim of the campaign is designed to educate and raise awareness amongst dog owners, whether new or experienced, that their dog is very much their responsibility.”

With many dog owners planning to visit the countryside during coming weeks, as the weather improves and sheep are at their most vulnerable, NFU Mutual is calling for dog owners to:

• Keep dogs on the 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.
• Do not let dogs loose unsupervised in gardens near livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and attack sheep grazing nearby.