A Fife farmer is counting the cost of a savage dog attack on his sheep flock that left two animals seriously injured and one having to be destroyed.
The bloodthirsty attacks, which are being investigated by police, happened at an isolated farm on the Lomond Hills on Monday and Tuesday nights.
In the Monday night attack, a sheep was found with its jaw detached and hanging loose. A vet was called and the animal had to be put down.
In the Tuesday night attack on the same flock, a sheep was mauled in the throat. On that occasion the sheep was stitched up and survived.
However, with lambing season getting under way, the case has left farmers angry and fearful of a recurrence. There have been a number of similar attacks in the area in recent years.
Fife wildlife and environmental crime co-ordinator Lindsay Kerr told The Courier the latest attacks appear to have been by a dog and appealed to owners to ensure their animals are kept under control.
“We want to raise awareness for dog owners and remind them it is their responsibility to keep their dogs under control,” he said.
“When walking in rural and farming areas, especially as we enter lambing season, there is a great risk to livestock. We don’t want to see a situation where a farmer is forced to shoot a dog if it is on his land and he believes the dog is posing a threat to his livestock.
“We tend to find that these incidents are not criminal but stem from a lack of awareness by dog owners and a lack of control of dogs.”
He added that not only can such attacks lead to injury or death for livestock, they can also cause stress to other animals. For the farmer, financial and emotional stress can also be caused if his flock comes under attack.
Mr Kerr said police are working with the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust rangers to deal with all rural matters and increase awareness among members of the public on how to conduct themselves appropriately in the countryside and keep their pets under control.
He offered the following advice:Don’t take a dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young animals. Don’t take a dog into fields of vegetables or fruit unless on a clear path such as a core path or right of way, but keep the dog to the path. Never let a dog worry or attack farm animals. If going into a field of farm animals, keep as far as possible from the animals and keep the dog on a short lead or under close control. If cattle react aggressively, keep calm, let the dog go and take the shortest, safest route out of the field. In the bird breeding season (April to July), keep dogs under close control or on a short lead in areas such as moorland, forests, grassland, loch shores and the seashore. Pick up and remove a dog’s faeces if it fouls in a public open place or where there is a risk to farming interests. Keep dogs out of reservoirs/streams which might be used for public water supply if near intake. Keep dogs under control in recreation areas to avoid raising concern.