The message still isn't getting through to dog owners in the country
MSP says dogs need to be muzzled or on a lead when near livestock
There will be a Holyrood debate next week on dangerous dogs, with concern recently in Highland that the message to owners - particularly when it comes to walking in the countryside - isn't getting through.
This follows a spate of attacks on sheep, with calls for dog owners to take greater care with pets while near farming livestock.
Speaking to MFR News, Highland MSP Kate Forbes said it was "staggering" that the issue still crops up every year with attacks on farm animals.
"Many dogs owners think that their dog won't be the culprit" - Kate Forbes MSP
The likes of Police Scotland and NFU Scotland have had to issue reminders, and Ms Forbes described dog owners who do not muzzle, or keep pets on a lead near livestock as “thoughtless, selfish and foolish”.
Her comments came after it emerged a farmer near Ardgay had a dozen rare breed sheep – thought to be worth a total of £12,000 – savaged to death by a dog.
The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch said: “It's a hard-enough job farming but the emotional and financial toil - when you see sheep with half their face missing or lambs aborted - it just adds to an already tough occupation"
“Every year, there are warnings and yet we see story after story about sheep being killed and maimed by dogs"
"Many dogs owners think that their dog won't be the culprit, but they don't realise the dogs see it as a game. Even if they aren't going near the sheep, leaving a dog near livestock will cause the animals stress"
Ms Forbes says it's in the best interests of dog owners to pay heed of this recent sorry incident, "Your dog could be shot, but you could easily find yourself facing charges, because if you're the one in charge of the dog who attacks livestock there will be legal repercussions"
A survey by NFU found that 80% of dog owners are happy to exercise pets in the country, and 60% have them off the lead, which could increase the potential for such an attack to happen.
The cost of dog attacks is up 67% on farmers with the average claim rising by over 50%.