Dog owners warned as livestock worrying concern highlighted during lambing season

DOG owners are being warned there is no excuse for allowing pets to worry livestock, as animal welfare groups and farming organisations highlight the damage such incidents can cause during lambing season.
The warning has been issued as part of Sheep Worrying Awareness Week, a joint campaign involving the Scottish SPCA, the National Sheep Association and NFU Scotland.
Livestock worrying happens when dogs attack or chase animals in fields or rural areas. Campaigners say the spring lambing period can be particularly devastating, with stress caused by dogs leading to injury, miscarriages and, in some cases, death.
The Scottish SPCA has stressed that even well-trained dogs can pose a risk if allowed off the lead or to roam unsupervised near livestock.
As well as physical attacks, the presence of a dog alone can cause panic among sheep and cattle, with animals sometimes injuring themselves while trying to escape.
Nicola Strachan, the Scottish SPCA’s head of advocacy and strategic partnerships, said: “Livestock worrying is a serious animal welfare issue that can cause significant distress, injury and, in some cases, death to sheep and other farmed animals.
Importantly, there is no excuse for dog attacks as these situations are entirely avoidable.
Owners must understand that even well-behaved dogs can act on their predatory instincts when around livestock, leading to disastrous, and often fatal consequences.”
She added that raising awareness was key to reducing incidents and helping the public understand the impact their actions can have on animal welfare.
The National Sheep Association said the problem remains widespread.
Findings from its 2025 farmer survey showed that 96 per cent of respondents had experienced between one and 10 dog attacks on their flock in the previous year, while 78 per cent said the main cause was dogs not being kept on a lead.
NSA communications manager Kate James said sheep farmers were continuing to deal with financial losses as well as distress caused by attacks and the fear of further incidents.
She urged dog walkers to keep pets on a lead whenever sheep may be grazing nearby and to think carefully about the routes they use, particularly during lambing time.
Emma Harper MSP also backed the campaign, describing the consequences of livestock worrying as catastrophic and urging dog owners to act responsibly when accessing the countryside.
Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, dog owners commit a criminal offence if their dog worries livestock on agricultural land. Changes introduced in 2021 increased the maximum penalty to a £40,000 fine or up to 12 months’ imprisonment, while also giving Police Scotland powers to seize dogs suspected of being involved.
In some circumstances, farmers are also legally entitled to shoot dogs if livestock is being endangered.
NFU Scotland said more still needed to be done to tackle the issue. Policy manager Rhiana Montgomery said the organisation supported the legal changes introduced in 2021, but was disappointed the tougher penalties did not appear to be being used to their full effect.
The organisation is urging dog owners to keep animals under close control around farmland and to recognise that livestock worrying is both preventable and a serious offence.