Police Scotland has promised swift and tough action against dog owners who let their pets attack livestock.
Officers are now probing as many as seven recent incidents in Perth and Kinross that have seen animals badly injured or killed.
Investigations have already seen two irresponsible dog owners reported to the Procurator Fiscal and legal action could follow.
Nonetheless the perpetrators of a number of other incidents remain unidentified and public assistance is being sought to track them down.
Farming communities across the region have been afflicted, gruesomely illustrating that it is not an isolated problem.
Inspector Kevin Chase heads community policing operations in Tayside and has been heavily involved in the crackdown on sheep worrying.
He warned that owners who let their dogs off the leash in rural stings should be under no illusions about the action that will be taken should livestock be hurt.
“We have had several incidents of livestock worrying reported to us since October 2016,” Inspector Chase said.
“These have now taken place on farmland in Alyth, Auchterarder, Blairgowrie, Crieff and Dunkeld and in Balado.
“Two people have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with the incidents in Crieff and Alyth and enquiries continue into the remaining crimes.
“We will robustly enforce legislation, ensuring all reported cases of livestock being attacked by dogs are thoroughly investigated and offenders reported to The Crown.”
Earlier this week, it emerged there had been more reported incidents of dog attacks on sheep across Perth and Kinross that in any of the previous six years.
They are on the rise despite a concerted awareness raising campaign being led by Police Scotland and partners, including the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFU Scotland), which is looking into the matter.
Mr Chase said it was the responsibility of dog owners to keep their pets from causing injury to livestock.
He said: “If you are in the countryside and you are exercising your dog, you must ensure that you keep them under control at all times.
“Where possible, you should avoid going into fields where these animals are present.
“Livestock can be scared or spooked, which can easily lead to distress and injury.
“Dogs that are outwith the owner’s control can have a significant effect on the overall welfare and productivity of farm animals.
“In cases of livestock worrying, farm animals are often found with fatal injuries or are killed.
“Dog owners have a legal responsibility to ensure that their dogs are under proper control.”
The Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, a multi-agency partnership which includes Police Scotland, NFU Scotland and Scottish Land and Estates, is working with Scottish Natural Heritage to promote responsible dog walking in the countryside.
More information on responsible dog walking is available on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website and from the National Sheep Association.
Anyone with information that could assist officers with their enquiries into any of the dog attacks is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.