Killer dog in Watten farm attack
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A CAITHNESS farmer who found over a dozen lambs dead in a horrific scene in his field near Watten is blaming the irresponsible actions of a dog owner for the devastation.
Fourteen of John Swanson’s lambs were killed in an attack which is estimated to have taken place within the space of three hours last Wednesday.
The farmer, who has been working in the agricultural industry for over 50 years, claimed a dog, or dogs, not under proper control was responsible.
Yesterday Northern Constabulary confirmed that DNA samples taken by a vet proved a canine was responsible for the attack but its breed is still unknown.
Five other lambs were also left injured at Banks Lodge during the incident which it is believed took place between 2.30pm and 5.30pm.
Mr Swanson, who is currently experiencing one of his busiest times of the year, said the death of his lambs has cost his business up to £1500.
Speaking to the Caithness Courier this week, he said the incident has left him heartbroken.
“At around 5pm we heard a report from a neighbour that they had heard that one of our fields of sheep had become very distressed,” he said.
“When we went to the field to discover what was the problem, we found dead lambs scattered across the area.
“Their bodies were mutilated, in some of the cases wool was actually pulled out of the sheep. In my view the attack can only be attributed to dogs which have escaped from their homes and have been left to roam out of control.”
It was the second time Mr Swanson’s farm has been the victim of sheep worrying in the past two years, but the first time it resulted in his livestock being killed.
Mr Swanson has been appealing for witnesses in the village who may have any information to come forward to help discover what happened.
He said he wanted to let those responsible know the seriousness of their animal’s actions and to make sure no other farmer suffers what has happened to him.
“We have had isolated incidents of foxes, winged predators and weather which have killed individual lambs and, unfortunately, that can’t be helped. But when uncontrollable dogs come on to your land and savagely murder a batch of your livestock it is very hard to take.
“One has to think that these dogs, who caused so much damage in my field, could be a danger to small children. Once they have a taste for blood where do they stop?”
He added: “Any responsible owner needs to take that into account and, if they are not going to admit to it, they should at least do the decent thing and put the animal down.
“The agricultural industry is suffering like other businesses during the recession and incidents like these are unnecessary and extremely damaging to our livelihoods.”
Police in Caithness have received a high number of calls in relation to sheep worrying as well as from farmers complaining about owners letting dogs run free.
Duty Sergeant Grant McDowall, who is based in Thurso, said: “We do find that during the lambing season that there is an increased number of incidents of sheep worrying that are reported to us.
“Enquiries into the incident at Banks Lodge are still ongoing, but we would ask anyone with information to come forward.”
Anyone with any information regarding the incident is asked to contact Wick Police Station on 01955 603551 or, to leave information anonymously, they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
