Livestock worrying has become a major issue for Scotland’s farmers in recent years. Rachael Hamilton MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire and John Lamont MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk want to raise awareness to battle the growing concern in the Scottish Borders.
Livestock worrying, when a dog owner’s dog attacks livestock, has grown at a shocking rate. Figures out in February showed that livestock worrying in Scotland hit a seven-year high in 2016. Nationally, there were 179 instances last year where dogs were responsible for killing or injuring livestock, up by 46 cases on the year before.
Lothians and Borders saw the second highest number of livestock worrying incidents regionally, with 27 cases recorded by Police Scotland.
National Farmers Union Scotland have reported that the issue is very much live and figures indicate that the issue is growing across Scotland.
However, there is an issue of under-reporting and attacks are only known of when reported to the police.
NFUS has held several public-awareness events, usually ahead of lambing time and summer holidays. At this year’s Highland Show NFUS, along with NFU Mutual, launched new signs which have been made available to members which warn the public of the dangers of letting their dog off the lead.
In the past access officers at Scottish Borders Council have helped to put up generic signs reminding access takers to keep dogs under close control.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
‘Livestock Worrying is a growing concern for farmers and one that I want to see stamped out in the Scottish Borders. These dog attacks against a farmer’s livestock are completely avoidable if dog owners took necessary precautionary action.
‘I plan to work with the NFUS to continue to raise awareness on this issue and come up with solutions to see this really horrible crime eradicated.’
John Lamont MP said:
‘Having sheep or cattle harmed or killed is a massive blow for farmers and incidents like this cause financial loss and stress for the livestock.
‘That is why I am joining in calls for dog walkers to behave responsibly. This means avoiding fields with very young livestock and if there is no alternative route, keeping dogs on a lead or under close control.
‘The NFUS are right to highlight this issue and work with others to raise awareness amongst dog owners, the vast majority of which are responsible.’
NFUS Regional Manager of Lothians and Borders, Kerry Clark said:
‘The worrying of livestock can have devastating consequences for a farmer and their stock and as these statistics suggest, it is becoming an increasing problem for Scotland’s farmers and crofters. There are no irresponsible dogs, only irresponsible dog owners. It is not just the financial losses, but the stress it can cause for sheep and cattle, and the time taken away from the day to day running of our business to deal with such cases.
‘Those responsible just don’t realise the damage their dogs can do by being amongst livestock. Ninety-nine per cent of those who are walking their dogs in this area are responsible, it’s the one per cent who are being careless, and they are the ones that need to be educated. We need dog owners to be mindful of going into fields, not just during lambing and calving, but throughout the year.’