Its lambing time again and following a number of reports of sheep worrying in the Scottish Borders we are reminding dog owners of their responsibilities when in the countryside.

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. 

Chasing by dogs can do serious damage to livestock, even if the dog doesn’t catch them. The stress of chasing/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 fence 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.

If you do not control your dog properly near livestock you risk prosecution.

Follow the guidance from NFUS and ideally stay out of fields with livestock, particularly sheep, at this time of year  https://www.nfus.org.uk/policy/campaigns/control-your-dog-on-farmland.aspx

#ControlYourDog