AYRSHIRE rural organisations have teamed up with Police Scotland to highlight new legislation to protect farmers and livestock from dog attacks.

The Ayrshire Partnership Against Rural Crime and its partners were at Dumfries House recently to promote new Scottish legislation which protects animals from dog attacks through a range of measures.

These include updating the definition of ‘livestock’ in law to include all other farmed animals, in addition to cattle and sheep, and fines of up to £40,000 and possibly even prison sentences for owners who let their pets worry, kill or injure farmed animals.

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021became law in November, but the longer and warmer days of spring have prompted Police Scotland and partner agencies such as the National Farmers’ Union to launch a new publicity drive to warn dog owners of the tougher new rules.

The ‘Your Dog - Your Responsibility’ campaign, run by the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), will run through the lambing season, when sheep and lambs are most vulnerable to attacks, and will be then run again in the autumn.

It includes advice for land managers as well as for dog owners on how to ensure compliance.

Speaking at the event, NFU Scotland Ayrshire regional manager Christine Cuthbertson said: “We are lucky to have beautiful countryside in Ayrshire which includes the stunning Dumfries House Estate, but it is very much a working landscape.

“Easter is a time for the arrival of baby lambs and calves, and we ask that those taking access respect their own safety and that of expectant and new mums by avoiding fields with livestock and always having your dog on a lead or under very close control.”

Inspector Julie McLeish, from the Cumnock, Doon Valley and Irvine Valley policing team, said: “Attacks on livestock by dogs is an emotive issue that impacts on rural communities throughout Scotland and Ayrshire is no exception.

“Therefore Police Scotland welcomes this new legislation which can hopefully assist in preventing, reducing and tackling such instances.

“Its introduction is timely given the increase in dog ownership experienced during Covid and the aim of the campaign is designed to educate and raise awareness amongst dog owners.”