Pregnant sheep put down after dog attack at farm

A farmer in Midlothian has appealed for people to keep their dogs under control after one of her sheep was disembowelled in a horrific attack.

Lynne Fairlie, of Kirkettle Farm near Penicuik, made the grim discovery on Sunday morning.

The pregnant ewe was down and its unborn lambs died in the aftermath of the incident.

Ms Fairlie said: “I found her around 7.30am on Monday with her bowels hanging out. I called the vet who put her to sleep.

“She had suffered longer than she should have as the dog owner didn’t report the incident.

“So I’d like to encourage people to report to either the farmer or the police if their dog attacks or even chased sheep. I was lucky, this was one sheep, other farmers have lost lots in one attack.”

Police issued a reminder earlier this month that lambing season is under way and warned dog owners to keep their pets under control.

Furthermore, a Holyrood committee this week expressed its frustration at a lack of action on dog attacks.

A letter written by Jenny Marra, public audit and post-legislative scrutiny committee convener, said it was “unacceptable” that nothing will be done about dog attacks until the next parliamentary term.

According to NHS statistics, the number of incidents involving dogs in Scotland increased from 533 in 2008 to 6992 in 2019.

Police Sergeant Michele Lindsay, of Penicuik Police Station, said: “The sheep was carrying two lambs and the attack resulted in her having to be put down.

“The injuries were consistent with the sheep having been attacked by a dog. The dog responsible would have had blood on it and may have entered the field through a fence on the old railway line.

“My advice to anyone who is exercising or walking their dogs in rural areas is to ensure that they have their dogs under close control, restrained on leads and prevent their dogs from entering any land or fields where livestock is grazing.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 0715 of Monday, March 8. Information can also be given anonymously by calling the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.