What the highest (a) fine and (b) custodial sentence imposed has been each year under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotl…

The worrying of livestock by dogs is completely unacceptable and is something the Scottish Government takes very seriously and any dog attack is one too many.We welcome the fact that in Scotland we have tough legislation in place to deal with livestock worrying. The Scottish Government supported Emma Harper’s member’s bill when it was introduced, to provide Police Scotland and the courts with greater powers to deal with those who allow their dogs to worry, attack or kill livestock in Scotland’s countryside. Under this law owners of dogs that attack or worry livestock can be fined up to £40,000 or face a prison sentence of up to 12 months.Please find below the number of accused convicted based on the financial year of conviction in relation to the fines and custodial sentences handed down. Please note that The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force on 5 November 2021. The 2021 Act amends the offence under the 1953 Act so all proceedings are still under the 1953 Act (as amended).Table 1: Number of accused convicted with at least one protection of livestock from dogs crime, given a fine or imprisonmentFinancial Year of ConvictionDisposalsNumber of case-accused5 Nov 2021- March 2022Fine32022-2023Fine52023-2024Fine8April 2024-June 2024Fine0 Imprisonment1Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical ServicesTable 2: The highest fine imposed each year and number of accused who received it:Financial Year of ConvictionHighest FineNumber of case-accused5 Nov 2021
- March 2022£20022022-2023£36012023-2024£4001April 2024-Jun 2024NA0Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical ServicesTable 3: The highest custodial sentence imposed each year and number of accused who received it:Financial Year of ConvictionCustodial sentence lengthNumber of case-accused5 Nov 2021- March 2022NA02022-2023NA02023-2024NA0April 2024-Jun 20245 months1Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services