Post-mortem confirms dog WAS responsible for sheep-worrying attack in Jedburgh
Police are making a renewed appeal for information
Last updated 7th Jun 2023
A post-mortem examination has confirmed a dog WAS responsible for a recent sheep-worrying incident on a Borders farm, which led to the deaths of nine pedigree lambs.
Police are making a renewed appeal for information following the attack, which happened at Sharplaw Farm in Jedburgh, sometime between Sunday, April the 30th, and Monday, May the 1st.
The animals - all aged between six and eight-weeks-old - were savaged during the attack.
Speaking at the time, local farm worker Robert Whittaker said: "All of these animals were unbelievably still alive when found, but due to the extensive damage we had no option but to euthanize every one."
The attack took place in fields near the Shell petrol station in Jedburgh.
"Police Scotland have advised that this be made as public as physically possible to make the general public aware of the damage and devastating destruction that a dog/dogs can do to livestock," Robert added.
"The Hundalee flock of pedigree Charollais ewes has had some remarkable success throughout the years and the financial cost of losing the genetics of these animals will run into tens of thousands of pounds."
It was the third known attack 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.
Robert added: "My heartfelt emotions go out to those other people and families that have been affected.
"The owner of this dog/dogs must be aware of what they are doing and Police Scotland have taken three carcases away for DNA sampling to hopefully trace the dog/dogs and bring an end to these attacks."
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Officers say investigations are ongoing and they're appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.
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A Police Scotland spokesperson today (Wednesday) said: "Between 8pm on Sunday, April 30th and 11am on Monday, May 1st, nine pedigree Charlollais lambs were attacked on Sharplaw Farm, Jedburgh. A recent post-mortem has confirmed that a dog caused these injuries.
"We ask witnesses or anyone with information regarding this incident to contact us on 101, quoting incident 1661 of Monday, May 1st, 2023."
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