Between April 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025, the Crown Office received 57 charges of livestock worrying. Six cases were prosecuted and two convictions were obtained — representing four per cent of the total.

In the previous 12-month period, from April 2023 to March 2024, 76 charges were sent to the Crown Office and six resulted in convictions – an eight per cent conviction rate.

The highest fine handed down during that time was £400, compared to previous years, when fines could be as low as £200.

Between April 2024 and January 2025, one of the two convictions resulted in an £890 fine at Inverness Sheriff Court after three huskies killed dozens of sheep. The attack occurred after a friend of the dog owner’s daughter left a gate unlocked, allowing the sheep to escape from a secure compound.

The figures were disclosed in an answer at Holyrood to Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Tim Eagle.

Mr Eagle said: “As someone who has been impacted by this myself, I am appalled to see such a low number of convictions for this heinous crime. “In addition, the pitiful fines handed out for these incidents are a kick in the teeth for farmers.

“The Scottish government must strengthen existing powers to protect the livelihoods of farmers and to ensure reckless dog owners aren’t walking away without proper punishment.”

Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said: “The worrying of livestock by dogs is completely unacceptable and something the Scottish government takes very seriously, recognising the distress and the serious welfare and financial implications it causes.

“I would encourage people to familiarise and remind themselves of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and to exercise caution and vigilance when in and around farms and fields with livestock to help prevent livestock worrying incidents.”

A spokesperson for the Crown Office said: “We take prosecutorial action based on the facts and circumstances of each case. Careful consideration will be given to any reports of alleged criminal conduct which are submitted by the police, or any specialist reporting agency, to the procurator fiscal.

“Criminal proceedings will be raised if the reports contain sufficient evidence of a crime, and if it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so.”