Dog owner fined for letting elkhound worry sheep

A woman who let her dog worry sheep in a field was fined £200 at Lerwick Sheriff Court today.

Christine Polson, 43, of Isbister in Whalsay, failed to prevent her large Norwegian elkhound from chasing the livestock on agricultural land at the island’s Grunnataing on 27th September.

She pleaded guilty to the offence by letter.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie accepted the nature of the breed was to run and bark, and not to attack.

However he said there may be genuine fear of the dog.

He said the dog was well looked after by Polson, but people held legitimate concerns.