Warning to dog owners after fatal livestock worrying incidents
Andrew Hirst
Police have again urged dog owners to keep their pets under control after a number of livestock worrying incidents – including animal fatalities and human injury.
Shetland police warned people that a roaming dog can be a danger to livestock.
Officers said failing to control a dog included allowing it outside without supervision or not maintaining fencing so they can escape into neighbouring properties.
The warning followed reports from the Highlands and Islands division of officers responding to multiple reports of livestock worrying. These included fatalities and injuries.
Police said the offences not only cost the victims financially but were often “very distressing” for those involved and “devastating” for animal welfare.
The force reminded people to never take a dog into a field where there is livestock.
Visit outdooraccess-scotland.scot for more guidance.
People can report livestock worrying by calling police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Ian Tinkler
Very sadly are Councillors and powers that be on Shetland seem completely unable, indifferent or dare I say uncaring or stupid to make land available for dog walking.
We have tens of thousands of hectares of land which could be rendered sheep free. Not only would that greatly enhance the biodiversity and ecology but it would open up areas for dog walkers and recreation without any risk to livestock.
We are no longer in the EU and the crazy subsidy per head of sheep has long gone. Much hill side could be rendered free of sheep and used for tree planting. Therein those areas, dog could play, carbon could be captured and wildlife thrive.
Very sadly we appear led by a bunch of Ovines who cannot stop their worship of the Woolly Gods. Those very same woolly gods who most true and informed ecologists refer to as the woolly magots or the white plaque. Livestock should be always fenced, their place is close to their owners. Not to be left to wander uncared for to die on the hill. We should move on from such medieval practises, the certainly do not benefit the sheep nor their owners.