Sheep worrying

New legislation aimed at addressing the increasing level of attacks on livestock, including raising the maximum fine to £40,000, has been debated in the Scottish Parliament.

50 in-lamb ewes were smothered and suffocated to death in a horrific dog attack.

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

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.

The Lynx UK Trust has singled out a forest near Loch Lomond, Scotland as a ‘lynx paradise’.

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. 

As thousands of walkers descend on the countryside during the coronavirus lockdown, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has called for visitors to show more ‘respect’ for the land and those who farm it.

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.

A new Bill before the Scottish Parliament will, if passed by MSPs, allow much stricter measures to be taken against those who allow their dogs to worry livestock.