Livestock worrying alert reinforced by Ross-based MSP Kate Forbes amid move towards tougher legislation; Offence could attract £5000 fine or six months in jail under beefed-up proposals to crack down on major concern for farmers
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BEEFED-up legislation on livestock worrying is being backed by a Ross-shire MSP concerned about a spate of attacks in recent years at various farms across her constituency.
Dingwall-based Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes has joined calls from others including Police Scotland, NatureScot and The Kennel Club for dog owners across the Highlands to keep their pets under proper control around livestock.
The sense of urgency around the issue has increased with the lambing season under way.
Last month, a new bill designed to crack down on irresponsible owners who let their dogs chase, frighten and attack farm animals passed its first hurdle at the Scottish Parliament as its general principles were unanimously endorsed by MSPs.
It passed stage two at committee last week.
Ms Forbes said: “I know that farmers and crofters care deeply about the welfare of their livestock, and dog attacks can have devastating consequences.I hope that the joint campaign from Police Scotland, The Kennel Club and others helps reassure the farming community that the issue of livestock worrying is being taken very seriously.
“With the draft legislation making its way through parliament, I would encourage everyone to behave responsibly – especially around pregnant animals – and do everything we possibly can to reduce these distressing attacks on livestock as well as the associated mental and financial impacts.”
The Member’s Bill was introduced by Emma Harper MSP. It amends the existing law on what is called “livestock worrying”, which is where a dog chases, attacks or kills farmed animals.
The Bill aims to:
increase the maximum penalty to a fine of £5000 or imprisonment for six months
allow the courts to ban a convicted person from owning a dog or allowing their dog to go on agricultural land
gives the police greater powers to investigate and enforce livestock worrying offence. This includes by going onto land to identify a dog, seize it and collect evidence from it
allows other organisations to be given similar powers
extends the 'livestock worrying' offence to cover additional types of farmed animal
Dog attacks cause suffering to animals, cost farmers money and cause them distress. Ms Harper believes the current law is out of date and isn’t working effectively.
She hopes that making these changes to the law will encourage people to keep their dogs under control. Where attacks do occur, she hopes the Bill will make it easier for them to be investigated and the people responsible to be punished.
More information on the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill can be found here
