Police are appealing for information after a vicious dog attack on a Highland farm.
Officers have issued a warning to pet owners after two sheep were left with injuries so severe they had to be humanely destroyed.
The incident occurred between 6pm on Friday evening and 9.30am on Saturday morning.
As part of ongoing enquiries, officers are appealing to anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident.
The warning comes as the Scottish Partnership Against Rural crime launches a new campaign to raise awareness amongst dog owners about the effects of livestock worrying.
The campaign seeks to highlight to dog owners who live in or walk their dogs in the countryside that they must act responsibly and keep their dogs under close control.
Commenting on the launch of the Livestock Worrying Campaign, Inspector Jane Donaldson, Police Scotland’s Rural Crime Co-ordinator, said: “The worrying of livestock can have devastating consequences for farm animals and has an obvious financial and emotional impact on farmers and their businesses.
“This campaign is being launched to coincide with the spring lambing period because this is when sheep are at greatest risk.
“The vast majority of livestock worrying incidents involve sheep and can occur when a dog attacks, chases or in the case of sheep, is at large (not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field where livestock is kept.”
Andrew McCornick, President of NFU Scotland commented: “It is disappointing to note that instances of livestock worrying continue to rise in Scotland.
“Particularly at this time of year, when there are young lambs all over the Scottish Countryside, we would urge dog owners to ensure they comply with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. They should not take dogs into fields where there are young livestock present.
“The Union urges its members to consider shooting a dog worrying livestock as a very last resort, however I remind the public that this is a very real possibility if dogs are not under proper control in the countryside.”
Farmers and those who use the countryside are urged to report all incidents of livestock worrying to police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
