Diseases found in dog poo can cause abortions in cattle and death in sheep, NFU Scotland has warned dog walkers.
The farming union has urged members of the public to clean up after their dogs when walking on or near to agricultural land.
Parasites found in some dog faeces can result in the abortions of cattle and death in sheep and with several reports over recent months, local farmers are pleading with the public to be more responsible.
'Nasty diseases'
As the lambing and calving season begins for another year, the message to members of the public is to remember to pick up any faeces from dogs they are walking, including when they are using agricultural land.
On BBC 2’s Drive Time program (15 March), presenter Simon Mayo provided an anecdote about ‘flicking poo into a nearby field as a boy’, and whilst this may have been amusing to some listeners, the reality is that dog faeces in fields are linked to some nasty cattle and sheep diseases which can cause serious harm, NFU Scotland has said.
The union has thus encouraged those with dogs to be responsible for the health of livestock.
In a statement, the union said: "The message is clear - if in the country, lift poo; if living adjacent to fields with livestock, don't dump dog poo in field but dispose of responsibly."
Neosporosis and Sarcocystosis
The two diseases of particular concern that can be present as a result of faeces on farmland are neosporosis and sarcocystosis.
Neosporosis can cause abortions in cattle and is thought to be responsible for the highest percentage of all cattle abortions reported in the UK. Neospora eggs are produced by infected dogs and excreted in their faeces. Cattle will then become infected if they eat food, i.e. grass, or drink water contaminated with the eggs.
Sarcocystosis is also caused by parasites, which can use dogs as intermediate hosts, and similarly the eggs are produced and excreted in faeces.
In terms of both these diseases, faeces from infected dogs can contaminate pasture and animal feed, water or bedding. There is currently no licensed vaccine or drugs available for these diseases.
'Increasing problem'
Animal Health and Welfare Policy Manager for NFU Scotland, Penny Johnston commented: “This is becoming an increasing problem for many farmers, especially when located on urban fringes and is an important issue for dog owners to be aware of, both for the health of their own pet but also the livestock grazing on that land.
“And whilst Simon Mayo mentioned this in jest on the show yesterday, there is a serious message here, that regardless of where you are, you should pick up after your dog, and not just flick it into a nearby field.”
