A Highland MSP has said it is "staggering" and "nothing short of disgraceful" that there are almost daily occurrences of dogs attacking sheep across the UK.
The UK has seen an increasing amount of livestock worrying incidents recently.
Earlier this week, a Highland farmer had a dozen rare breed sheep – thought to be worth more than a combined £12,000 – savaged by an out-of-control dog.
It has triggered Kate Forbes MSP to denounce such incidents, labelling them "wretched".
She has called for the introduction of mandatory leads on dogs around livestock.
Ms Forbes said: “I find it staggering that we are still talking about dog worrying and dog attacks on livestock. Owners should know that dogs must be on the lead if passing near sheep.
“Every year, there are additional warnings issued by the usual bodies and yet we see story after story about sheep being killed and maimed by dogs.
“The results are truly gruesome, particularly when sheep are pregnant or there are lambs.”
'Wretched images'
The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said dog attacks can cause sheep to abort lambs or be separated from lambs.
“Apart from the wretched images of maimed sheep, with half their faces missing, a dog can also cause severe damage by just being in a field with sheep,” she added.
“There is really no excuse and it is nothing short of disgraceful that these warnings still need to be issued every year.
“Of course, these attacks affect farmers financially and emotionally when farming is tough enough. It is thoughtless, selfish and foolish not to put a lead on a dog when near livestock.”
Livestock worrying is a criminal offence, which is estimated to cost the farming community around £1.3m per year nationally.
