Police Scotland has appealed for information after livestock were killed and injured in two separate dog attacks in the Scottish highlands.
Officers in the north have appealed to the public for information after livestock were attacked in Scourie, north west Sutherland, which resulted a lamb being killed and three others who the farmer reported reported missing, presumed dead.
Police said the sheep worrying incident occurred at some point between 8:00a.m. and 1:00p.m. on Friday, May 2, on farm land near Meall Dearg, Scouriemore
According to a statement from Police Scotland, the three missing sheep were presumably chased into the sea and drowned by either the dog or dogs, who were accountable for the attack.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact the office at Rhiconich Police Station with any relevant information that may help officers conduct their formal enquiries into the case, and to quote CR/0181475/25 when doing so.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, police in Sutherland confirmed that a second case of sheep worrying occurred a day later, on Saturday, May 3, in the Gruids / Achany area, south of Lairg, where a lamb and a ewe were killed, and another lamb was said to be “seriously injured” after being subject to a dog attack.
Police enquiries remain ongoing, and anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact 101, quoting reference CR/0181505/25, to help officers conduct their investigation.
Dog attacks
Speaking about the recent spate of dog attacks in the area, a spokesperson for Police Scotland commented: “These are distressing incidents for all involved and there is legislation in place to protect livestock from dog attacks.
“It is a dog owner’s responsibility to ensure their dog is on a lead and under control at all times when livestock is present.
“The damage and distress caused not just to the animals, but also the farming business is considerable.”
According to Police Scotland, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021, came into force in 2021, to tackle the issue of dog attacks to livestock in Scotland.
Under this law, the term “livestock” is wide-ranging and includes cattle, sheep, goats, swine (pigs/boars), horses, camelids (alpacas/lamas), ostriches, farmed deer, and enclosed game birds or poultry.
Owners of dogs that attack or worry livestock can be fined up to £40,000 or even sent to prison for up to 12 months, police stated.
