The sheep death toll at a Kinross-shire farm devastated by a savage dog attack has risen to 20.
Six lambs just hours old were found dead at the field in Blairadam Estate, Kinross-shire on the afternoon of Monday, April 3.
Another 10 were sadly put down soon after due to the severity of their injuries.
Shepherd Stuart McDougall (43) described witnessing lambs “mutilated” and walking around disembowelled but still alive.
But tragically two further lambs died in the days following and a pregnant ewe lost her two lambs through miscarriage.
In total 20 lambs have been lost and officers believe the attack was carried out by at least one large dog.
The tragic incident comes as farmers, land managers and police launch a dog safety campaign coinciding with lambing season to keep canines on leads.
Officers from Tayside and Fife this week worked with partner agencies to highlight the appalling damage that can be done to livestock by out of control dogs.
On Wednesday, April 12, officers, along with Safer Communities personnel from Fife Council, the National Sheep Association, the Forestry Commission, PARC, the SSPCA and dog wardens from Perth and Kinross, gave out advice to the public at nearby Blairadam Forest.
Officers also carried out patrols in nearby woods as part of ongoing work to educate the public about this kind of crime.
Police Constable Ashley MacGregor said: “We all love seeing the lambs in the countryside at this time of year but unfortunately attacks by dogs on livestock can have devastating and appalling results.
“Under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 owners can face prosecution if their pet attacks livestock and we are urging everyone to keep their dogs on a lead at all times and to make sure that they cannot escape into fields on their own. If anyone sees or has information on dogs attacking livestock then please call us on 101.”
Stuart has a farm of over 350 sheep, which is right beside Blairadam Forest. He lambs pedigrees that are then sold for breeding. The estimated value of the damage is around £7000 to £8000.
Forensic police took four of the dead lambs for analysis at labs in Aberdeen. The findings could determine what breed of dog caused the carnage.
