Warning from police ahead of lambing season

Police in Orkney are urging dog owners to be aware of the law and act responsibly around livestock ahead of start of the lambing season.

Officers work closely alongside NFU Scotland and Orkney Islands Council throughout the year, with the following months of particular importance for farmers and their livestock.

Dogs chasing livestock can do some serious damage. The stress of the chase alone is enough to cause animals to die or pregnant animals to miscarry. As well as the distress and harm caused to animals, these incidents have both a financial and emotional impact on farmers.

If a dog is found to have worried livestock then the owner - or handler at the time - could face criminal action.

Police Scotland advise that all dogs should be kept under proper control at all times. In respect of livestock worrying, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 is the primary legislation for offences of this nature.

The term ‘worrying’ means:

• Attacking livestock.
• Chasing livestock in such a way as may reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering to the livestock.
• Being at large (not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field or enclosure in which there are sheep.

Constable Beverly Flett, from Kirkwall Police Station, said: “All dogs have an instinct to chase, even if they are usually obedient and this heightens if they are around other animals.

“We’d urge farmers and members of the public to report all incidents of livestock worrying to us so that we can thoroughly investigate. We work closely with partners to support livestock owners and, where criminality is identified, will enforce the legislation and ensure offenders are held accountable.”

Steven Sandison, Chairman of the Orkney Branch NFU, said:

“While the majority of dog owners do act responsibly, there are unfortunately still some incidents of livestock worrying in Orkney.

“As farmers who have put a huge amount of time and effort into raising and caring for our livestock, to see them suffer because of a few irresponsible dog owners is devastating.

“We would urge all dog owners to keep their dogs on leads while in the vicinity of livestock and to avoid fields with livestock in them if at all possible."

Colin Flett, Vice Chairman of the Orkney Branch NFU, has personal experience of a particularly nasty sheep worrying incident and said:

“Having witnessed the devastation of sheep worrying first-hand, the impact is far deeper than just the monetary value of the sheep lost.

“As farmers we dedicate ourselves to looking after our animals and to then see animals injured, killed or chased to cause abortion has a huge emotional impact.

“Livestock worrying can wipe out years of work in the matter of minutes so I would urge people to carefully consider their actions to limit the potential for their dog to cause harm to livestock."

Graham Sinclair, Orkney Islands Council’s chair of Development and Infrastructure, said:

“I welcome the efforts of Police Scotland and our local NFU’s branch in highlighting the impact of livestock worrying, for a rural community like ours.

“The vast majority of folk take a commendably responsible approach when they’re out and about in the countryside.

“With lambing starting soon on farms across the islands, it’s vital that we all do everything we can to prevent livestock from being worried by dogs. The consequences when it happens are devastating, for farmers and dog owners alike.”

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code can be viewed here.

Anyone with concerns, or wishing to report a crime, should contact Police Scotland on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.