HELENSBURGH and Lomond’s dog walkers are being urged to make sure their pets are on a leash when near livestock.

The warning comes as lambing season gets into full swing at sheep farms around the area and across the country.

Attacks on sheep by dogs are not uncommon and can lead to significant injury to sheep, many of whom have to be put down.

Dog owners can also be guilty of a criminal offence if a dog worries livestock on agricultural land, with the farmer also holding the right to kill the dog if their livestock are at risk of harm.

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In a social media post, Lorna Filshie from the Loch Lomond Young Farmers group said: “We are now in full swing into lambing season which is our busiest time of year.

“We are asking everyone to please obey the signs that we have put in place by keeping your dog on a lead and staying out of fields with livestock in them.”

Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie from Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Policing Division said: “We are once again urging anyone walking and exercising their dogs in the local countryside to act responsibly and ensure their dogs are under control at all times.

“We are also appealing to dog walkers to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”

Farmers and those who use the countryside are urged to report all incidents of livestock worrying to police on 101, or 999 if it’s an ongoing incident.

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