A man has been arrested and charged after 93 sheep were chased by his dog – a month after the incident took place.

The heavily in-lamb gimmers were chased by a dog in Auchterarder on March 16, with the dog owner trying to leave the scene after it took place.

Grace Reid, who owned the sheep, was alerted to the situation by a passing neighbour, who was able to catch the incident on camera.

Police attended the farm in the following days. After posting on local Facebook pages, Ms Reid, who is the Scottish Region Co-ordinator for the National Sheep Association, was able to identify the man and the dog, and passed the information on to Police Scotland.

She is hoping that the Police and courts utilise the new sheep worrying legislation, when dealing with the case.

She explained: "We've seen so many incidents where the 1953 legislation has been used to give offenders a fine of a few hundred pounds which simply isn't cutting it. We need to fully use the punishments now available."

She continued: "Despite increasing awareness of the consequences of sheep worrying by dogs in Scotland aided by strengthened laws in recent years, occurrences are still a very real fact and we cannot allow complacency to overrule responsibility.

"Dog owners have a duty to ensure their pets are under control according to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, especially when there are pregnant ewes and young lambs in the fields. In addition to this, our law enforcement also should be fully aware of the seriousness of these matters.

"Sheep play a vital role in creating, maintaining and shaping the iconic landscapes that Scotland boasts and without our national flock, Scotland would look very different indeed.

"Furthermore, sheep farmers across the country work tirelessly to ensure animals are kept in the best possible conditions, yet we have a minority of the population who simply will not take responsibility for their dog.

READ MORE: Sheep Worrying Advice for Lambing Time

"As a direct result of actions taken by the public when accessing the Scottish outdoors it is simply unacceptable that occurrences are as prevalent and severe whilst ultimately being unsustainable. It is high time legislation was used to its fullest extent to give priority to this most serious of topics and to stamp out what is in essence completely avoidable."

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with worrying livestock after 93 pregnant ewes were chased by a dog in Auchterarder. The incident happened on Thursday, March 16, on Duchally Road. A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.”

READ MORE: Dog owner ordered to pay £300 to farmer after sheep killed

The Scottish Farmer also understands a serious case of sheep worrying by dogs happened on a farm near Jedburgh, this week, resulting in the ultimate deaths of 13 sheep. Again Police are looking into the crime, with DNA from the dog obtained for a full identification if needed.