Several Scottish organisations have united in an urgent plea to dog owners across the country to keep their dogs under proper control around livestock.
Lambing season is already well underway in Scotland, and most of the ewes we see now grazing the hills and fields are heavily pregnant at this time of year. Already farmers are reporting worrying attacks on their sheep by dogs, often because dog walkers have not kept their pets under control. Many attacks also involve unaccompanied dogs which have been allowed to stray.
Some reports include horrible physical injuries to sheep. However, a dog doesn’t need to be big or aggressive to be a concern, as the distress and exhaustion alone of what might appear to be a harmless chase can cause a ewe to miscarry, or even die.
Francesca Osowska, NatureScot Chief Executive, said: “Our message to all dog owners in Scotland is simple but really important – we want you to enjoy your visit to the countryside, but please, please keep your dog under proper control.”
For many in Scotland who have become dog owners for the first time over the Christmas period and during lockdown, being outdoors in the countryside with their pet will be a new experience. A range of national organisations have now joined forces to highlight the impact of livestock attacks and stress how important it is to always keep your dog in sight and under control near farmland – if in doubt use a lead, they say.
The partnership – which includes NatureScot, The Kennel Club, Police Scotland, NFU Scotland, Visit Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates – say do not allow your dog to approach animals or people uninvited, adding that in open country, it may not be obvious when animals are around. Where possible you should avoid animals, but release your dog if threatened.
Francesca said: “It’s important to understand that our access rights in Scotland’s countryside are dependent on responsible behaviour by the public, and for people walking dogs, this includes keeping their pets under proper control. We urge new dog owners to take the lead on responsible ownership by familiarising themselves with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”
Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs at The Kennel Club, said: “Repeatedly allowing a dog to stray is a clear sign of irresponsible ownership; it needlessly puts dogs’ lives at risk, as well as farm animals and wildlife. Our rights and responsibilities as dog walkers in the countryside are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”
There are around half a million dogs in Scotland. One in five of us now share our home with a loveable pooch and the Covid pandemic has led to a noticeable increase in the number of dog walkers taking exercise in the countryside.