It is with great sadness that we report that over the weekend a dog attack tragically left one of the Estate farmers with six dead lambs and two severely wounded heavily pregnant pedigree ewes. Due to the implications of this loss, the Police have been involved.

Such attacks have a financial and emotional impact on the farmer, not to mention causing immense suffering to the animals.  They are entirely avoidable if dog owners follow some simple steps:

  • Do not take your dog into a field where there are sheep or lambs – go into a neighbouring field or onto adjacent land
  • If you do have to go close by, keep your dog on a short lead (2 metres or shorter) and keep away from the livestock

* Do not allow your dog(s) out of sight when you are close to fields with sheep or lambs in them

The Estate is thankful for the many responsible dog owners in the area and do encourage access on designated walks, however we would like to remind all dog owners about the importance of making sure their dog is under control at all times.

Anyone who allows their dog to worry livestock on agricultural land is guilty of a criminal offence in terms of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953.

Worrying includes the dog attacking or chasing livestock and also mean the dog being loose in the field where livestock are present.

A conviction under the 1953 Act can carry a fine of up to £1,000 and in certain situations the Police can seize the dog.  In the case of a dog being loose in a field with sheep, if the dog is seen to be attacking the sheep and/or lambs the farmer is within their rights to take any action necessary to stop the attack.  This may result in the loss of the dog.  None of us, including the farmers, want this to happen.  We ask all dog owners to please be vigilant at all times.

The public’s responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (“the Code”), which contains a section dedicated to dog walkers.  For more information on the Code, please see the following link:

https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/Practical-guide/public/seasonal-advice-spring-and-summer