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Government inaction on sheep worrying is ‘undermining and contradicting’ its own animal health and welfare strategy and leaving farmers and their flocks powerless against dog attacks.

NFU Mutual data shows the Scottish public are aware of the penalties for sheep worrying and that police are taking the issue seriously

Nearly two thirds of owners say they let their dog roam off-lead in the countryside but almost four in ten admit their pets do not always come back when called

With livestock attacks once again in the news, it is important for farmers to know where they stand legally and the measures which they can take to protect their flocks.

The Association of Responsible Dog Owners has called for the Welsh Government’s ban on e-collars to be lifted, following the publication of data which laid bare the extent of sheep worrying in Wales.

But the majority of Scots were unaware of the potential repercussions

With the festive season likely to attract an increase of families and dog walkers on wintery walks, farmers have been reminded how best to deal with sheep worrying attacks.

The animal welfare charity has renewed its call for dog owners to be more responsible and keep their dogs on leads near livestock after two separate incidents within a week.

A farmer is calling on his landlord the National Trust to enforce a mandatory ‘dogs on leads’ policy while walking through fields with livestock after loose dogs chased a heavily in-calf cow off a 30ft ledge.

Police dealt with more than 1,100 incidents of sheep worrying in 2020, up from 800 in 2019, with some forces called out to multiple attacks each week.