With the better weather coming in and more people getting out and about in the countryside NFU Scotland is urging dog owners and dog walkers to keep their pets under control around livestock.
Incidents of sheep worrying are growing with more farmers across the country seeing their livestock distressed, hurt or killed by dogs. At this time of year, with fields full of pregnant ewes or ewes with young lambs at foot, an incidence of worrying can have a devastating impact on a flock and cause severe distress to the shepherd.
A case recently saw six sheep, worth around ÂŁ900, being âworried and mauled to deathâ on farmlands at Clerkhill near Eskdalemuir.
The clear and consistent message from the Union is for members of the public to be responsible, and to keep their pets under control
Scott Aitkens, of Kipps Farm, Linlithgow has had regular problems with dogs being allowed off their leash by their owners and attacking his sheep.
He commented: âOver the last two years weâve had several attacks where dogs have mauled our sheep, the most recent of which was two weeks ago. We want to stress that although you donât see sheep or other livestock immediately in front of you in a field, it doesnât mean they arenât in that area.
âWhenever dog owners come to me looking for their dog that has run off on our land, they tell me the dog wonât bite and âjust wants to playâ. Would you put your children in a pen with lions that âjust want to playâ?
âOur plea is to keep your dog under control. If it doesnât come back automatically when you call, then donât let it off the leash. We donât want to stop people going out to enjoy the countryside, however we need to make sure that they are being responsible. Our sheep are our livelihood and we canât risk having them distressed, hurt or killed by dogs who have irresponsible owners.
âBy following the simple messages in the Scottish Outdoor Access code that require dogs to be kept under close control in the countryside, these distressing incidents can hopefully be avoided.â