Appeal for public to keep dogs under control near livestock following Fife attack

It comes after 20 lambs died in a recent dog attack

Author: Kara ConwayPublished 12th Apr 2023
Last updated 29th Jan 2024

Police in Tayside and Fife and working with other organisations to highlight the damage that can be inflicted on livestock by out of control dogs.

It comes after a total of 20 lambs died after a dog attack on a farm near Kelty.

Six lambs were initially found dead on Dullomuir Farm, with another 10 so severely injured that they had to be put down. Two further lambs also died during the next few days and a pregnant ewe lost two lambs through miscarriage.

It is believed at least one dog was involved in the attack and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Advice session

Today, officers along with Safer Communities personnel from Fife Council, the National Sheep Association, the Forestry Commission, PARC, the SSPCA and dog wardens from Perth and Kinross, gave out advice to the public at Blairadam Forest near Kelty.

Officers also carried out patrols in nearby woods as part of ongoing work to educate the public about this kind of crime.

Police Constable Ashley MacGregor said:

“We all love seeing the lambs in the countryside at this time of year but unfortunately attacks by dogs on livestock can have devastating and appalling results.

“Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 owners can face prosecution if their pet attacks livestock and we are urging everyone to keep their dogs on a lead at all times and to make sure that they cannot escape into fields on their own.

“We are asking everyone to be considerate when out and about in our rural areas. If you are a dog owner then it is your responsibility to keep them under control. If anyone sees or has information on dogs attacking livestock then please call us on 101.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.