CAUTION: Some of these pictures are graphic and upsetting. It is not our intention to upset anyone and if you are of an easily offended nature it may be better not to view them. Some pictures depict the unfortunate outcome of people unintentionally allowing thier dogs to bother sheep. Jacquie and Tony are members of the Scottish Canine Consultative Council, S.C.C.C., and they are working with them to help bring educational awareness with regards to safety and control of your dog in and around the countryside. We have approached and are voluntarily working with Clyde Muirshiel Regional Parks,Royal Society of Protection of Birds, R.S.P.B. and Castle Semple Lochwinnoch, we have also been approached by other parks to help bring awareness to the devastation caused to sheep/cattle (livestock) and ground-nesting birds by people unwittingly letting their dogs worry them. There has been an alarming increase in the number of incidents in Scotland recently due to dogs not being under the correct control. Last year there were two occassions where people lost their lives walking near cattle with their dogs. We are urging dog owners and all people alike to learn and understand safety out in the countryside. Uncontrolled dogs will scatter flocks of sheep causing abortion of lambs, injury, distress, shock and in some cases death to both the sheep and the dog. This is obviously very distressing for both the farmer (who feels the economic effects for up to 5 years for every sheep and subsequent loss of lambs thereafter) and the dog owner (who loses a good friend); Even if your dog does not attack livestock and even if you think Rover is playing with and chasing sheep,....... this is sheep worrying The farmer has the right to shoot to kill your dog if they worry their livestock. (Dogs- Protection of Livestock Act 1953. Animals(Scotland) Act 1987) Did you know there are only 600 breeding pairs of Hen Harriers in Britian, Scotland has 450 pairs and Muirshiel Regional Park have only 12. A dog will do what they do naturally, have you ever seen your dog sniffing through heather and small bushes and birds flying up? Then you are not aware of the consequences to ground nesting birds. Disturbance may result in birds failing to nest, abandoning the nest, eggs failing to hatch, chicks dying of cold or lack of food and the nest becoming vulnerable to predators. It is a criminal offense to disturb rare breeding birds, intentionally or not with fines up to £20,000 or imprisonment possible. CONSEQUENCES Police involvement Court action Financial penalty Possibility of your dog being destroyed. Information available to help you Walkies leaflets Scottish Outdoor Access Code Keep Scotland Beautiful Dog Owners Leaflets http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com | Community Safety Guidlines in the Countryside Observe all signs displayed Near farm animals keep your dog on a short lead: 2 metre max Keep your dog calm at all times There are no bad dogs, only bad dog walkers! |