14/03/2026
🐑 Lambing Season – A Reminder for Dog Walkers
Officers from Police Scotland working alongside the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) are reminding dog owners to act responsibly while enjoying the countryside during lambing season.
Already this year, across Dumfries and Galloway, we have received several reports of livestock being worried by dogs, with enquiries currently ongoing into some and others having been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for Consideration of a Prosecution.
A person convicted of a livestock worrying offence may be subject to,
- imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months
- to a fine not exceeding £40,000
- or both
Livestock worrying can cause serious injury or death to sheep/ unborn lambs and has a significant emotional and financial impact on farmers.
If you’re walking your dog near farmland, please remember:
🔹 Keep your dog on a lead around livestock
🔹 Stick to paths and stay alert for grazing animals
🔹 Ensure your garden and property are secure to prevent dogs escaping
Livestock worrying is a criminal offence and all incidents will be investigated.
👩🌾 Farmers and livestock keepers:
If an incident occurs, please report it to police as soon as possible so evidence can be secured and action taken.
Call 101 or report online (if it’s not currently ongoing)
or
Call 999 if:
- someone's in danger
- the incident is happening now
