Cameron Shaw, part of the Shaw family’s Dryfeholm Farm, last week urged dog owners to keep their pets under control after he was forced to euthanise a ewe which suffered horrific facial injuries at the muzzle of a loose dog near Lockerbie Golf Club.
But at the weekend another of his flocks, grazing near Applegarth Town, was disturbed by a ‘husky type’ which got into the field.
When Cameron arrived, he also found several with wool torn from their backs, and at least one suffering from puncture wounds.
Some had also been chased into the swollen river and into a pond.
He said: “One with flesh wounds had been forced into the river, I found it around half a mile downstream.”
He had to retrieve the animals which had been forced into the water, which was at a higher level due to recent rains.
Cameron added: “Five were directly affected, but most of the 195 sheep in the field had been worried.”
The farmer was able to secure the dog until officers from Police Scotland arrived.
New laws brought into force in November extend the powers available to Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to better investigate and enforce those who allow dogs to become out of control in the countryside, which can lead to worrying and attacks.
The Dogs: (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act increases the penalties available to the courts, including to a fine of £40,000, disqualification from owning a dog, or a 12 month custodial sentence.
