Police say gamekeeper was within his rights to shoot pet dog for worrying cattle
ByNews reporter
Kris Miller, Courier, 18/09/11. Picture today shows police presence on Stirling Street, Dundee after Cathie Henderson (84) was attacked on her doorstep and subjected to a violent mugging in her home last night.
Tayside Police have concluded that an Angus gamekeeper who shot a pet dog did not commit any offence.
Animal rights groups have expressed their disgust after a 15-year-old collie was found buried down a rabbit hole near its home in Airlie.
Popeye’s owner Margaret Ford had been searching for her animal for more than a week before its body was found.
A local gamekeeper admitted shooting the dog, claiming it was worrying his cattle. A subsequent police investigation found his actions had been ”appropriate”.
Mrs Ford has talked of her struggle to come to terms with the circumstances of her pet’s death. She described Popeye as a loving and friendly dog.
Although gamekeepers are entitled to kill dogs if they are threatening animals, the League Against Cruel Sports and local MSP Jenny Marra have vowed to take up the case.
A Tayside Police spokeswoman said a post-mortem examination and a vet’s statement both concluded the dog had not suffered unnecessarily.
Police say gamekeeper was within his rights to shoot pet dog for worrying cattle
