One of Scotland’s youngest sheep farmers is concerned that a dog might have killed some of her flock.
Kirsty Neil, 17, from Carnoustie, created headlines when she became a sheep farmer three years ago after being inspired by a television programme.
From starting with four sheep in a field near the Panbride area of town, the shepherdess quickly expanded to have more than 20 sheep.
However, after discovering two dead sheep in recent weeks – one of which was pregnant – she is concerned that they may have been killed by a dog.
A man and a dog were spotted in the field near houses at Macdonald Smith Drive late at night last week.
Police are monitoring the field after a dog and its owner were spotted in the six acre field, which is fenced off, with its gates padlocked.
Kirsty said: “The first lamb died three weeks ago and something ate her. We’re not sure if she died or if she was killed.
“Then a fortnight ago a lamb which was carrying twins died and was also eaten. It could have been a dog or fox that killed them. We’re not sure.
“Someone saw a man in the field with a dog at 11.30pm at night on Wednesday and he would have no business being there.
“The field is fenced off and there’s two gates that are padlocked. You’d have to lift the dog over the fence as there’s no way it would get under. The field is completely secure.
“All the lambs in that field are pregnant. If they get chased about too much then they can abort their lambs. That’s a worry if a dog distresses them.”
As well as informing the police, Kirsty has also put signs on the gates warning that dogs in the field will be shot.
“Hopefully the threat will be enough to put them off,” she added.
“We went to the police this week who said they would patrol the area and do as much as they can.”
Kirsty, who is also a butcher’s apprentice, sells some of her lambs but has also successfully shown off lambs at agricultural shows, taking first place at the Kirrie Show this year.
Supported by her parents Emma and Barry, Kirsty said she was still enjoying her hobby of sheep rearing.
“I’m still really enjoying it,” she said.
“I’ve been quite successful in some of the shows this year. You let them go in the ring and then the judges look for good body shape, how they stand, their teeth and tight wool.
“It’s a challenge. The ones that have been killed in recent weeks were show lambs that we wanted to keep.”