Hunt for owner after dog kills four sheep in savage Angus attack
The owner of a dog that killed four sheep and injured 15 others at an Angus farm is being sought by police.
The dog is now in the care of the police as the effort to find its owner continues.
- By Rob McLaren and Graeme Bletcher
- Published in the Courier : 05.01.12
- Published online : 05.01.12 @ 10.19am
The frenzied attack took place in the field at Newbarns Farm in Inverkeilor at 12.30pm on Tuesday.
The alarm was raised by a couple of dog walkers who noticed the carcass of a sheep lying near the roadside and then saw the dog — a black and brown Staffordshire bull terrier-type animal — still in the field.
A girl ran near to a nearby farmhouse while her boyfriend entered the field and restrained the dog using his belt.
Gordon Wilson (51), who lives nearby at Newbarns Farmhouse, called the farmer, who then contacted the vet and police.
Mr Wilson said: ''The girl came running here thinking this was the farmhouse for the field. She said that they'd been walking their dog — also a Staffie — when they noticed that one of the sheep was badly bloodied around its neck.
''Then they noticed there was still a dog in the field. She ran to my house for help.''
He added: ''I phoned the farmer and when we got back to the field her boyfriend had very bravely gone in and managed to restrain the dog by tying his belt round the dog's neck. Even then the dog was still trying to get back to the herd.''
Mr Wilson said the two-acre field was a bloody scene, with injured sheep everywhere.
He said: ''The dog had clearly been in the field for quite some time as there were sheep down all over the field. It had obviously been chasing the herd, pulling one down, attacking it, then going back to the herd again.''
He added: ''The girl's boyfriend said that the dog was exhausted when he caught up to it. I know most of the dogs in the area and who owns them but no one seems to know who owns this black Staffie.''
The dog was later removed by Tayside Police, who are appealing for information about the incident.
A spokesman said: ''Tayside Police want to trace the owner of the dog and the group of people who were in the area at the time of the incident. The dog itself is described as being a large powerful dog, very dark brown in colour and is believed to be a Staffordshire bull terrier.''
He added: ''Anyone who can assist with inquiries should call Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222, or speak to any police officer. Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.''
Councillor Bob Spink called the event ''absolutely dreadful''.
He said: ''This emphasises the risk we take having dogs like this in the community if indeed it's a Staffordshire bull terrier.
''These are incidents that happen far too often with far too great a regularity. Some stricter controls have to be found.''
Angus Help for Abandoned Animals vice-president Ian Robb said: "This has obviously been someone out walking and has not had proper control over their dog. It is a lot of damage for one dog to do.''
Speaking from the charity's Kinaldie base, a few miles from where the attack took place, Mr Robb said no dogs had escaped from the kennels and there had been no abandonments reported in the area.
He said: ''It is the same old story, whether it be in the rural areas or in the towns. The general public are not taking responsibility for their dogs and you only need to look at the number of attacks over the last year.''
He added: ''People need to realise that they are responsible for their dog's behaviour when they are out in the community. If an owner can't keep their dog under control then, under new legislation, they will be severely fined.''
Cross-breeding 'status' dogs such as Staffies, rottweilers, boxers and bullmastiffs is on the rise in Angus, and Mr Robb warned that tighter controls are needed.
He said: ''The likes of bullmastiff crosses, that are not reared properly, can be totally vicious. A lot of them have a very short fuse and it doesn't take much for them to go over the edge.''
He added: ''In my opinion there are certain bloodlines that shouldn't be mixed.''
11.45am - 05.01.2012 Betty Hill - Fernandina Beach, United States Report This
What a tragedy! Do hope the owners and found and held responsible. I also have noticed the lack of Spay and Neutering when I visit my Bonnie Scotland! I volunteer for our local humane society, so of course we are big on the spay and neutering of animals, cats and dogs......
11.49am - 05.01.2012 shaun sneddon - cowdenbeath, scotland Report This
Mr Robbs comments about these 'types' of dogs being vicious is wrong, uneducated, unfounded and totally ignorant. Their short fuse?? I cant believe someone from a charity would make such sweeping remarks, how does the charity ever re-home such dogs if they are so dangerous??
02.49pm - 05.01.2012 Mike - Carnoustie, Angus Report This
The dog pictured is not a very big dog, as has been described. This dog was obviously caught in the act,but is there a chance another dog may have been involved? that got away. Mr Robb does a great amount of good work trying to save abandoned Staffies and should not be critiscised over one comment
03.32pm - 05.01.2012 Bruce - Inverkeilor, Angus Report This
Shaun, Yes it is clearly a very docile breed of dog, as it showed when left unattended at Newbarns. "wrong, uneducated, unfounded and totally ignorant"...think that better describes your remark...Put this dog down and fine the owner double all costs
04.27pm - 05.01.2012 Anon - montrose, scotland Report This
Councillor Bob Spink's comment regarding the risk of having dogs 'like this' in the community is ridiculous. It is often the humans who own them who present the greatest risk by their lack of responsibility and ignorance. I wish everyone would stop blaming the dogs.
10.37am - 06.01.2012 Kenny - Forfar, Scotland Report This
I agree, stop blaming the dogs. They are only doing what they were bred for, as their name suggests. There is no place/need in todays society for this type of dog or it's like. No amount of training will totally remove their natural attack instinct. There are more docile dogs that make great pets.
10.48am - 06.01.2012 shaun sneddon - cowdenbeath, scotland Report This
bruce, a racing greyhounds instinct is to chase prey (the rabbit), are all greyhound vicious and therefore shuld they be put down?? this dog never showed any badness towards anyhuman, it is an aminal, it done this act on instinct. stop being so ignorant. I
10.49am - 06.01.2012 John Jones - Dundee, Scotland Report This
It's interesting that Miss Marra MSP, who a month ago was demanding investigations into the shooting of an out-of-control dog that was worrying farm animals, seems not to have a glib press release for us this time around. Perhaps she only wants dog owners' votes, not farmers' and landowners'?
04.43pm - 06.01.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
@Shaun does n't it concern you the sheer number of animals this one dog killed and or maimed whilst appears docile in the company of humans.If you are a supporter of dogs surely the important message is that any free running dog near grazing cattle can be a dangerous mix.
03.20pm - 07.01.2012 Bruce - Inverkeilor, scotland Report This
Shaun, what is your point? Greyhound under control in a track - fine . dog running amock destroying someones livelyhood - or just as easily mauling a child - bad. Is this easy enough for you yet? Any greyhound rampaging lose on a farm and attacking livestock should be shot too .
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