LAMBING is well underway across the country – so dog owners planning on heading out and about this spring are being urged to act responsibly and keep their dogs under control whilst on farmland.

With new lambs and heavily pregnant ewes at a particularly vulnerable stage, NFU Scotland is advising owners to keep their dogs on a lead at all times.

Last month, the union launched the ‘Control Your Dog on Farmland’ awareness-raising campaign, highlighting that attacks on livestock on farmland are still on the increase, as is the problem of dog fouling, which can cause disease problems in livestock. Dog owners, said NFUS, needed to know their responsibilities as outlined under the Outdoor Access Code and plan for their route – ensuring that they have both poo bags and a lead.

Union president Andrew McCornick commented: “Spring is a fantastic time on Scotland’s farms and our countryside is blossoming. Farmers and crofters are working around the clock to look after their livestock and deliver lambs and calves.

“Attacks on livestock happen all too often in Scotland and we are really pleading with the public to keep their dogs on a lead, avoid fields with livestock if possible and be responsible when walking on farmland,” he urged. “The industry can no longer tolerate the problem of dog owners who do not control their dogs on farmland.

“Many people underestimate the damage dogs can do to livestock – whether that is attacking them when being off a lead or causing them to contract dangerous diseases through their poo – we need dog owners to take responsibility for controlling their dogs whilst out enjoying the countryside,” he stressed.

“You think your dog is ‘just playing’ with the sheep but that could change in an instant and you will have no way to stop the dog when it starts to attack. Make sure your dog is on a lead when walking on farmland – even if you can’t see livestock they could just be over the hill or hidden in a dip. It’s not worth the risk, to you, your dog or the livestock,” Mr McCornick concluded.