A CALL has been made to change the law on sheep worrying following the horrendous attack by two dogs on David Morrison’s Blackface ewe flock at Dalwyne, as reported in last week’s issue.
Speaking at the Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association agm in Stirling, Mr Morrison, who only a week ago lost 33 ewes to the dogs’ vicious attack, said he still had 12 severely injured ewes which are likely to ‘cast’ their lambs, and 16 remain missing.
Worse still, the dogs while back with their owner, are very much alive and kicking.
“As far as I’m aware the two dogs are still alive, but the dogs should have been put down immediately and the owner severely prosecuted,” said Mr Morrison 
“If the dogs had attacked just one person, they would have been put down. They have basically been allowed to murder 150 of my sheep, if you consider the lambs they were carrying and the number that are likely to abort even yet, and nothing has been done about it.
“I have been led to believe that the two dogs that attacked my sheep were reported missing by the owner on the Friday when he was planting trees in the area, which means they must have been missing for at least three days when I came across the devastation on the hill on the Monday morning,” said Mr Morrison who is struggling to come to terms with the situation.
“I effectively lose 150 sheep and both the owner and the dogs get away scot-free. Something needs to be done to change the law.”
Backing up Mr Morrison, breed president, Pamela Nicol, said numerous members of the association had also been affected by dogs worrying their ewe flocks over the years and that the association would look to lobby government to push for change. 
Former president, John Hamilton, also suggested that association funds should be considered to assist in taking the owner of the dogs to court.
On a more positive note, Tom Paterson, Dunruchan, Crieff, was presented with the Dunbia trophy for presenting the most number of lambs to hit spec’ through the Sainsbury’s Border Blackface lamb scheme, while Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, produced the highest number of E grade lambs.
Winner of the Connachan Salver is Andy Hamilton, who over the past 50 years working with the Blackface sheep breed at Glenmanna, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, has not only produced shearling rams to £15,000 at Newton Stewart, but also bred a winner at the Royal Highland Show. 
A stalwart of the breed through thick and thin, Mr Hamilton has also produced several breed champion and carcase winners at the Winter Fair and Smithfield over the years.