Police probe report of 'livestock attack' near Peebles
Last updated 26th Feb 2024
Police are probing a suspected sheep-worrying incident near Peebles.
One animal was found dead and another injured in a field, next to a path along the River Tweed, to the west of town.
It's understood to have happened between Tuesday and Wednesday last week (February 20th/21st).
It comes as new figures suggest dog attacks on Scottish livestock cost an estimated £123,000 last year – double that figure for 2022.
Complacency among some dog owners alongside an inability to control their pets contributed to the spike, according to NFU Mutual.
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If confirmed to be an attack on livestock, it would be the latest in a series of sheep-worrying incidents reported across the Borders in the past year.
In October, a number of the animals had their faces ripped open in an attack at Wester Ulston Farm, near Jedburgh. Five were injured and three had to be put down.
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In May, nine pedigree lambs - aged between six and eight-weeks-old - were savaged during a suspected dog attack in fields near the town's Shell petrol station.
That was the third in the area in as many months, with two sheep killed at Over Thickside Farm, Jedburgh, in February, and 14 left for dead in a separate attack at Howden Farm in March.
And, last month, a pregnant ewe and its unborn lamb were killed near Selkirk.
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Referring to the latest incident, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "It isn’t clear how the sheep came to be injured and enquiries are ongoing.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2269 of Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
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