Man charged over dog attacks on sheep at Kingussie farm
Following the slaughter of sheep at Badenoch's Ruthven Farm at the weekend, police have confirmed that a man has been charged over the incident, although he was not named in today's statement.
A Police Scotland spokesperson told the Strathy: “Around 8.10am on Monday, 12 September, 2022, police were called to a farm in the Kingussie area, following the deaths of a number of sheep.
"Enquiries were carried out and a 55-year-old man has been charged in connection with the incident.
"He has given up ownership of the dogs in question and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
Stuart and Sally Annand, who farm at Ruthven, fear that they will lose some 50 sheep as a result of the attacks, allegedly carried out by three dogs very early in the morning.
Gruesome pictures have been posted on social media of the aftermath, including a heart-rending video showing injured animals moving with great difficulty amid the corpses.
Mrs Annand told the Strathy: "Surviving lambs are traumatised, with bitten tails, most of them lame.
"All had been in the river to hide. When we rescued them from the river, they jumped back in again because they were scared to head back to the field."
As concerns grow over dogs in the countryside, police today issued an appeal for help with an unrelated incident just beyond the strath where a large number of ducks were slaughtered.
Officers are appealing for information after 69 ducks were killed and 30 were injured at a farm in Elgin.
The incident happened at around 4am on Monday at Mayne Farm after two dogs entered a shed at the premises.
Sergeant Michael Irwine said: “Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would urge anyone with information to get in touch.
“Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 2869 of 12 September, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
On social media, Allarburn Farm Shop put the tally at 69:
"Early on Monday two dogs killed 69 ducks and left 30 injured before entering the field of sheep & attacking them!
"The barking woke everyone & these dogs can be identified but not yet found! All have teeth marks, it’s horrific! Some suffocated each other trying to get away, devastating!"
A spokesperson for the farm urged: "Do not walk your dogs at the farm. We have had enough!"
