Dog owners have been warned that they could face prosecution or their dogs could even be killed if they do not abide by sheep worrying laws as the local lambing season looms.
Local area commander Chief Inspector Tom Leonard’s statement aims to “remind dog walkers of their responsibilities” and to keep pets on a lead when near sheep.
The police warning comes days after an Auchterarder farmer was left horrified after witnessing her pregnant sheep being chased by an out of control dog that managed to get into her field.
Woodside Farm’s Grace Reid (28) said the violation caused the ewes an immense amount of stress and may result in miscarriages.
In another recent incident near Crook of Devon, a 21-year-old man will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal for failing to keep control of his dogs and allowing them to worry sheep in a field.
Dog owners have a duty to ensure their pets are under control according to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, especially when there are pregnant ewes and young lambs in the fields.
It is a criminal offence to allow a dog to worry sheep.
Dog owners under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 can be fined up to £40,000 or face a 12 month imprisonment.
Worrying is defined as attacking livestock, chasing livestock in such a way that it may be reasonable to expect the dog to cause injury or suffering to livestock as well as abortion in female animals, and being at large (not under close control or on a lead) in a field or enclosure where there are sheep.
Chasing by dogs can do serious damage to livestock, even if the dog doesn’t catch them. The stress of worrying by dogs can cause animals to die and pregnant stock to miscarry.
In some circumstances farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they are endangering their sheep.
CI Leonard said: “With lambing upon us, I would like to remind dog walkers of their responsibilities with regard to keeping their pets on a lead when they are near sheep.
“Dog owners have a clear responsibility to ensure their pets are under control.
“If your pets chase or worry sheep, you are likely to get prosecuted and you could lose your dog.
“Livestock fleeing from dogs are often killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape, often causing significant collateral damage to fences and field boundaries in the process.
“In some circumstances farmers are legally entitled to shoot dogs if they are endangering their sheep.
“In the last few years there have been a number of prosecutions across Perth and Kinross under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 and several dogs have been destroyed. Please make sure it’s not your dog.
“If anyone witnesses an incident of livestock worrying they should contact Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
Tayside Police is appealing to the public for information to trace the dog owner at Woodside Farm. Described as a male in his early 30s with tanned skin, he was seen to lift the dog over the fence and cycle off in the direction of Dunning.
Those with information can contact Tayside Police quoting reference number CR/33585/23.
