NFU Mutual data shows the Scottish public are aware of the penalties for sheep worrying and that police are taking the issue seriously
Despite promising signs that new legislation is helping to prevent attacks, irresponsible dog owners who refuse to accept the threat their pets pose to livestock are putting sheep at risk, with nearly two-thirds admitting their dogs chase animals.
In an NFU Mutual survey, 64 per cent said they let their dogs roam off-lead in the countryside, with farmers reporting owners are more distracted than ever, often on their mobile phones.
The pandemic boom in dog ownership also means more people have poorly trained dogs. Four in 10 owners said their dogs do not always come back when called.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force in November 2021, following a successful Members Bill brought by Emma Harper, MSP, supported by Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, NFU Scotland and livestock owners.
NFU Mutual research found that 29 per cent of dog owners in Scotland were now aware they could be fined up to 40,000 if their pet attacked livestock, with 32 per cent of owners understanding they could be imprisoned.
Four in 10 of those surveyed felt Police Scotland was now taking dog attacks on livestock more seriously.
Industry figures have called on the rest of the UK to follow Scotland’s lead.
Constable Jamie Stewart, of Police Scotland, said since the launch of the legislation there had been a notable decrease in reports to the police.
Initial estimates from Police Scotland show 262 cases were reported in 2022, down from 301 in 2021, while NFU Mutual’s estimates suggest the cost of dog attacks on Scotland’s livestock fell by almost one-third last year.
He added that Police Scotland had also focused on awareness training for officers and staff.
He said: “When appropriate, officers have made use of the new powers available to them through the new legislation.
“As a result, there are pending cases, where offending dog owners have been reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. If found guilty, they will be subject to the new penalties available to the courts.”
However, one Stirling farmer who has been a victim said he had seen no impact from the legislation, with a huge amount of dogs now being walked nearby following the pandemic.
A Texel pedigree lamb raised by the farmer’s 13-year-old son had to be put down after a vicious dog attack, the second on the farm last year.
A walker saw the attack and alerted police, who called the farm, with the lamb left in a ‘dreadful state’.
Despite the witness providing details of the attack to police, it was not possible for them to prove the Staffordshire bull terriers seen off-lead in the field were responsible.
