Take The Lead

A sheep which was savaged by a dog has given birth to two healthy lambs.

A pregnant Highland heifer was mauled to death by a Rottweiler dog which had got loose without its owners’ knowledge.

Seven pregnant ewes were killed in a ‘distressing’ dog attack, prompting renewed calls for dogs to be kept on leads around livestock.

Dog owners have been reminded to keep their pets on a lead around livestock after a farmer was forced to shoot a cockapoo which was chasing his sheep.

Dog owners and walkers have been reminded by the RSPCA about the importance of keeping their pets under control after a farmer lost six sheep in recent dog attacks.  

Members of the public have been urged by police and farming unions to keep their dogs on leads as farmers continue to suffer the financial and emotional effects of livestock worrying.

Ninety five per cent of sheep farmers have experienced a dog attack on their farm in the past 18 months, with 49 per cent of incidents proving fatal, a survey by the National Sheep Association (NSA) has revealed. 

Police forces recorded fewer instances of dog attacks on sheep in 2019 than on the previous year, the first decrease since 2012. 

Walkers who are not familiar with the countryside and have descended on the countryside during the coronavirus lockdown are thought to behind a rise in the number of dog attacks on livestock.

Farmers Guardian has long campaigned for a change in the law around livestock worrying and, therefore, it is encouraging to see progress being made in Scotland with the introduction of the Livestock Worrying - Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.