Two people have been charged after a farmer shot their dog dead because it killed two of his sheep.
The incident took place at Sheep Park Farms, at Bridge of Marnoch, near Huntly, at about 7.30am on Monday morning.
A husky-rottweiler cross managed to get onto the Angus and Alan Greenlaw’s farm and terrorised their 130 Texel cross ewes.
As a result of the attack one sheep had to be put down after a third of its face was bitten off while another died from shock.
Five others had to be stitched up following the incident.
In total, the Greenlaws say the incident cost them more than £250.
Yesterday police confirmed a man and woman, both aged 25, had been charged in connection with the incident, as well as an alleged separate offence earlier in the year where eight sheep were killed.
Last night Alan Greenlaw said his brother was left with no other choice but to shoot the pet after a neighbour alerted them to the attack.
He said: “We’ve been left with two lambs who don’t have a mother, they only gave birth last week.
“Somebody else had phoned the police when they saw the dog attacking the sheep because the two cars turned up just after Alan shot it.
“We didn’t have any other option, there were a few sheep that ran for their lives with their faces cut up.
“The dog didn’t go for any of the lambs, it only attacked the ewes. They were very scared when we tried to round them up.”
It follows two separate sheep-worrying incidents at the farm last month, where four of the animals were found dead while another had to be put down.
The National Sheep Association has said the event is “unfortunate” for everyone concerned.
John Fyall, chairman of the association, said: “It’s not pleasant and I don’t see it as a victory, no farmer wants to have to shoot livestock, and that includes dogs.”
Meanwhile, police have warned dog walkers to ensure they keep their pets on a leash in rural areas.
Constable Dean McHugh said: “Farmers are within their right to shoot dogs worrying sheep on their land as a last resort to prevent further injury. To lose sheep and unborn lambs has a significant impact on farmers and their livelihoods, but to lose a much-loved pet causes huge upset for dog owners as well.
“All it can take to avoid this distress is to keep dogs on leads or under control, and for owners to take the necessary steps to ensure animals cannot run loose.
“My advice to anyone walking and exercising their dogs in the countryside is to ensure that they are constantly under control and to avoid going into fields where livestock is grazing.”
