Organisations including NatureScot, The Kennel Club, Police Scotland, NFU Scotland, Visit Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates issue livestock warning as farmers report worrying attacks on their sheep by dogs during lambing

Several organisations have united in an urgent plea to dog owners to keep their pets under proper control around livestock.

Lambing season is already well under way, and many ewes are heavily pregnant.

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.

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.”

Organisations joining forces to highlight the issue include The Kennel Club, Police Scotland, NFU Scotland, Visit Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates.

NFU Scotland’s head of policy team, Gemma Cooper, said: “We continue to see the devastating impacts of dog attacks on livestock almost daily and this crime is completely unacceptable.”

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