The Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) has identified the worrying of livestock as one of the key issues impacting on rural/agricultural communities in Scotland.  All livestock are valuable assets and any harm to them impacts an owner/farmer’s livelihood.  It is every dog’s instinct to chase, even if they are usually obedient and good with other  animals. Consequently, all dogs should be kept under proper control by the owners/handlers whether they are in an urban or rural area.

In respect of Livestock Worrying, the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 has been updated from November 2021 to the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland)Act 2021 and features several key changes:

• Renaming of offence
• Widens categories of livestock
• Increased Penalties
• Additional Police Powers

All of which it is hoped will bring the legislation in line with modern farming practices, act as a clear deterrent. and provide further support to livestock owners.  Chasing by dogs can do serious damage to livestock, even if the dog doesn’t catch them. The stress of chasing/attacking/worrying by dogs can cause animals to die and pregnant stock to miscarry. Livestock fleeing from dogs are often killed or seriously injured by their panicked attempts to escape, often causing significant collateral damage to fences and field boundaries in the process.  Dogs chasing ewes and lambs can cause them to separate with lambs dying from starvation or hypothermia if they fail to find the mothering ewe again.