Twin sets of lambs orphaned after mothers ‘ripped apart’ in horrific dog attacks by Aviemore

A well-known Badenoch farming family is pleading to dog owners to keep their pets on the lead near livestock after two ewes were discovered ‘torn to pieces’.

The two sheep were attacked and killed at Kinakyle and Kinrara but the Ross family suspect it was likely to be the same dog.

The family members are now having to hand-feed four lambs left orphaned in the horror attacks at their home, Leault Farm by Kincraig.

The first incident happened in the Kinrara area on March 30 and the other ewe was found dead on Wednesday (April 2) at Kinakyle - around one mile away - both just south of Aviemore.

Margaret Ross said that the two ewes had suffered ‘horrific deaths’.

“The two sheep were torn to pieces by the dog leaving two pairs of twins orphaned.

“It is so unnecessary. I am just so worked up about what has happened.”

“It is so important that dog owners keep their pets on leads around livestock especially around lambing time.”

Margaret’s son Neil, who is a shepherd, made the grim discoveries. He has reported the incidents to the police.

Mrs Ross said: “Two of the lambs are a decent size now so it took a while to get them to suck from a bottle.

“Their poor mothers were fighting to look after their lambs and ended up being ripped to pieces.

“Neil collected the lambs and brought them back to me.”

“It is so sad that these two pairs of twins have been orphaned and we are having to try and feed them instead of their mams.”

The family have no idea who the culprit. “I bet they cleared off quick enough whoever it was,” said Mrs Ross.

“But the owner is bound to know as the dog will have arrived back home covered in blood.”

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code states access rights apply to people walking dogs as long as their dogs are kept under proper control.

Amongst dog owners’ main responsibilities are:

• never let your dog worry or attack farm animals; and

• don't take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young farm animals.

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