POLICE in Fife are appealing for information following a sheep worrying incident in Levenmouth.

At around 6pm on Monday May 6, a dog was seen to be running loose in a field on Ardross Farm, near to Colinsburgh, Leven.

Shortly after this a ewe was discovered to have sustained serious facial and head injuries, and had to be put down. The same ewe had gven birth to quad lambs a fortnight previously. They are now being raised by hand.

It is believed that the dog involved was similar to a Labrador and was dark in colour. The animal was being walked by a woman described as being white, in her mid-twenties with fair shoulder length hair. It is thought that she was driving a small white van with a registration plate starting with NK08.

Inquiries are continuing and officers are urging the public to keep their dogs under control at all times when around livestock.

Miss Claire Pollock of Ardross Farm and farm shop has since taken to social media to highlight the case and the wider call for dog owners to act more responsibly around livestock.

"Someone who regularly lets their dog out of their van to run around on our farm lost control of the dog and let it savage our sheep," she wrote on the Ardross farm Shop facebook page. "Sadly, due to the extent of her injuries we had to put her down. She was left with no ears and the dog had torn her ear drum leaving her susceptible to infection.
"This was the sheep in the picture so many of you comment on, the one that had quads. Normally in these circumstances sheep die of shock but this amazing sheep continued to feed her four lambs while the vet battled to save her. 
"The owner knew what the dog had done as she was seen pulling it from our field, however notified no one, just left the animal to suffer," said Miss Pollock. "Thankfully Jim was watching with binoculars. We only hope no children are ever near that dog having seen first hand what it can do. Please be responsible while walking your dogs and always keep them on a lead when around livestock. 
"Everyone on the farm is devastated. No animal should be subjected to that. We were going to put pictures up of her injuries however decided they were just too horrific to show."

Inspector Jane Combe of Cupar Police Station said: "Despite previous warnings about the issue of sheep worrying, particularly during lambing season, another sheep has suffered horrific injuries and died.

"This is absolutely unacceptable and in addition to the financial impact on the farmer, it is also extremely distressing to find one of your animals has been mauled.

"As we head towards the summer months, we are taking this opportunity to remind all dog walkers and owners of their responsibilities. Dogs attacking, chasing and being in close proximity to sheep can all be considered livestock worrying. A dog nearby can cause sheep to panic and flee, resulting in serious injury or even death.

"All dogs are capable of chasing livestock and they do not understand the impact this can have – however owners do. Avoid fields with livestock when out walking and keep dogs on a short lead where this isn't possible."

Anyone with information in relation to this incident can contact Cupar Police Station and quote incident number 1099 of May 7. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.