A Perthshire MSP has called for the Scottish Government to do more to tackle attacks on sheep.
Liz Smith, one of the representatives for Mid Scotland and Fife, said such incidents are at a seven year high across Scotland, and that Tayside has seen 40 reported incidents since 2010, with 26 of these coming in the past two years.
She highlighted a savage attack on a flock of sheep in Muthill last month.
Her comments follow revelations that police in Perth and Kinross have received intelligence that criminal gangs involved in hare coursing could also be behind many of the recent spate of sheep worrying attacks in the area.
The politician has now raised her concerns with Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy.
Ms Smith said: “I was pleased to hear that the Scottish Government is taking the danger posed by livestock worrying seriously.
“Figures have shown that the number of reported instances is at a seven year high. In Tayside there has been a huge increase in the number of reported instances, with 26 recorded in the last two years, not including those that go unreported.
“Dog owners must be aware of their responsibilities whilst out in the countryside, and not just during lambing season. Pet owners should keep their animal on a lead while in fields with pregnant ewes or young lambs and farmers must contact the police and document evidence if they experience livestock worrying.”
Mr Ewing commented: “My attention has been drawn to that episode in Muthill (several prize-winning sheep were killed), which is absolutely devastating — for not only the financial but the emotional consequences for any farmer who sees his livestock suffer in that way. It really is appalling.
“It must be said that the primary responsibility must lie with the dog owner to keep his or her dog under proper control. Indeed, there is legislation that criminalises the owner of a dog that attacks livestock, chases it, or is at large, but not under close control, in a field.
“That legislation is in place, but of course it relies on evidence in order for there to be prosecutions. That is why, in 2015, the former Solicitor General conducted a review to ensure that the matter was taken absolutely seriously — which it is.”
