Man charged after dozens of lambs killed by dogs in Aberdeenshire

37 lambs died and 28 were hurt in the incident in Turriff on Friday

Author: Bekki ClarkPublished 18th Dec 2017

Almost 40 lambs have been killed in an alleged sheep worrying incident in Aberdeenshire.

A 34-year-old man has been charged after officers received a report that 37 lambs had died and 28 were injured at a farm in Turriff on Friday.

Police Scotland said two dogs were “humanely destroyed” by the farmer in order to prevent further loss of livestock.

Sergeant Caroline Gray, of the Banff community policing team, said:

“Sheep worrying not only has obvious financial impact on farmers where livestock is killed or injured, but the day-to-day effect on the animals who survive can be a major issue.

“The last thing a farmer will want to do is destroy another animal however they are within their right to shoot dogs worrying sheep on their land as a last resort to prevent further injury.

“All it can take to avoid distress in any case is to keep dogs on leads or under control, and for owners to take the necessary steps to ensure animals cannot run loose.

“My advice to anyone walking and exercising their dogs in the countryside is to ensure that they are constantly under control and to avoid going into fields where livestock is grazing."