How many investigations were carried out in each of the last two years under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act …

Please see the following data from both the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and the Scottish Government’s Justice Analytical Service. 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).Data on charges under Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Scotland) Act 1953 or the amendment, reported to COPFS, prosecuted, and convicted are given in Table 1.Table 1: Charges under:- Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 S1(1)&(6)-Worry livestock on a farm – attack, reported to COPFS, prosecuted, and convicted.Financial Year Reported 2024-252025-26Charges reported6669 Charges prosecuted622 of which:- Convicted44Source: COPFS management information.The number of accused convicted with at least one charge under Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Scotland) Act 1953 or the amendment, and how many were given a fine or a custodial sentence was extracted from the management information data used to prepare the Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services Criminal Disposals Dashboard and is shown in Table 2.Table 2: Number of accused convicted with at least one Protection of livestock from dogs crime and how many of those were given a fine or a custodial sentence.Financial Year of convictionNumber of accusedNumber of accused sentenced with FinesNumber of accused with custodial sentences2024-2025861April 2025 -Sep 2025100Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services Criminal Disposals Dashboard.